Let’s discuss the product design process in operations management. Keep your interest, since this is the focus of this article. Let’s find out.
What Is the Product Design Process in Operations Management?
The product design process includes the following steps:
Identifying Customer Needs
A business should be able to identify customer needs or wants. This is because customers have a choice between different products and services offered by different businesses. The business has to offer a product that customers need.
For example, if you are running an ice cream store, you should ask yourself what type of ice cream will attract customers to your business rather than other businesses which sell ice cream. After all, this is the first step of the product design process in operations management.
Developing a Product Concept and Design
Once you have identified customer needs or wants, it is time to develop a product concept. A concept is an idea for designing a new product or service. At this stage, you should prepare a rough sketch of how your new product will look like. You should also make sure that your new product will address the needs identified at the previous stage of the design process.
Creating a Prototype Model
Next, prepare a prototype model of your new product or service. A prototype model is also known as a “working model” because it is supposed to give an idea about how your new product will look once it becomes available on the market. At this stage, you should test your new product with prospective customers so that they can give their feedback regarding its performance and usability. By doing this, you can make changes if necessary before launching the final version of your new product or service on the market.
Testing the Product Concept and Design
Once you have created your prototype model, it is time to test it with customers or prospective customers so that they can give their feedback about it. You have already tested your prototype model with your employees (if any), but now it’s time for you to test it with actual customers who are going to use it once it becomes available on the market. What do you think about their feedback? Are they happy with what they see? Are they satisfied with your performance? What is their overall reaction? Are they willing to pay money for your new product or service? If you get positive feedback, then you are on the right track. Otherwise, you need to make changes if necessary before launching your new product or service on the market.
Designing a Manufacturing Line and Process Plan
Once you have launched your new product or service on the market and it has become a big hit with customers, you need to design a manufacturing line and process plan for your factory. This means that you have to determine how many workers you need to manufacture your product in a certain period. You also have to consider whether you can produce a large number of products in one batch, or if you need to produce them in small batches over an extended period.
To Conclude
This is how the product design process in operations management works. So, if you want to become a successful entrepreneur, all you need to do is to learn how to create a new product or service that will attract customers.