Abstract
Bearing challenges of product innovation, FTG, as a technology driven manufacturer in Hong Kong electronic and electrical appliance industries, has decided to continuously create new products to compete in a worldwide consumer electronic markets. The purpose of this project is to develop a modular product design system (MPDS) and a product development roadmap (PDR) to improve the FTG’s new product development performance. To achieve the aim, three objectives are proposed. First of all, it is to identify current modular design and production innovation environment in the electronics and electrical appliances industries. The result helps verify if MPDS and PDR can affect new product performance in the industry that the company resides. Secondly, it is to develop a modular product design system (MPDS) to optimize the use of modular designs in the company. Finally, it is to construct a product development roadmap (PDR) in the company. Both techniques should advance the company’s ability of identifying the area of innovations and the missing technologies required for future success.To achieve the first objective, a conceptual model linking MPDS, PDR, modular design, product innovation and product performance was proposed with comprehensive literature review. According to an industrial survey of 153 manufacturers in the industries, MPDS and PDR were found to significantly improve modular product design and product innovation capability respectively, leading to superior new product performance and product development speed.
The second objective was achieved by developing the MPDS. According to system design life cycle approach, the MPDS was designed as a prototype to be used by multiple parties to retrieve design information within the targeted product models and core design criteria. The results built a good foundation for the company to implement a full-scale system in the future. According to four comparative case studies and a user survey, the MPDS could improve the module information sharing and the speed of modular product design, possibly leading to cost reduction.
A 3-year PDR was developed for the FTG to achieve the final objective of the study. The product development roadmap interlinked external and internal drivers, product features, new products and technology solutions. The roadmap became a blueprint for new product launching that visualized the company direction with different stakeholders. The road-mapping process improved open communication and information sharing across functional teams. The performance of PDR was measured by participant feedback survey and product launching plan of the company.
There are several implications of the study. First, the development of MPDS provides the company valuable experience on how to manage product modules. Second, the PDR serve as a mechanism that visualizes the company’s product development direction to the staff, and helps maximize the use of technology solutions for faster NPD. Third, the findings of the survey identify key factors to improve both modular design and product innovation for the industries. Fourth, this study combines two innovation techniques, i.e. MPDS and PDR, in a single study and explores how they can work together to improve product innovation. The results may lead to better understanding of the impact of innovation management techniques on new product development literature.
| Date of Award | 5 Jul 2011 |
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| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Hongyi SUN (Supervisor) |