Scribd
Upload
9 views

Module 5 - Product specifications (1)

The document outlines the importance of product specifications as measurable statements that translate customer needs into quantifiable metrics. It details the process of establishing target specifications, including preparing metrics, competitive benchmarking, and setting ideal and acceptable values. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for specificity and practicality in metrics to ensure they effectively guide the product development process.

Uploaded by

William Mitchell
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
9 views

Module 5 - Product specifications (1)

The document outlines the importance of product specifications as measurable statements that translate customer needs into quantifiable metrics. It details the process of establishing target specifications, including preparing metrics, competitive benchmarking, and setting ideal and acceptable values. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for specificity and practicality in metrics to ensure they effectively guide the product development process.

Uploaded by

William Mitchell
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 10

6 U&E: Product

Specifications
Product Specifications
◼ What is a specification?
A translation of the “voice of the customer” to
a measurable (quantitative and testable)
statement of what the product has to do (but
not how!)
 A specification consists of a metric and a
value:
◼ Metric: top speed
◼ Value: > 130 miles/hour
Why Bother Setting Specifications?

◼ They provide concrete goals that:


 Are meaningful technically
 Will result in customer satisfaction

◼ They allow the team to “keep score.”


◼ They force the resolution of trade-offs
 Setting specifications is the first set of hard
decisions the team has to make
Establishing Target Specifications
1. Prepare the list of metrics (using a needs-
metrics matrix)
2. Collect competitive benchmarking information
(using competitive benchmarking charts)
3. Set ideal and marginally acceptable target
values for each metric
❑ Ideal value: The best result the team could hope for.
❑ Marginally acceptable value: The value that would
just barely make the product commercially viable.
4. Reflect on the results and the process
Issues that may be Covered in
the Product Specifications
◼ Performance ◼ Environment
◼ Life in service ◼ Maintenance
◼ Target product cost ◼ Competition
◼ Shipping ◼ Packing
◼ Quantity ◼ Manufacturing facility
◼ Size ◼ Weight
◼ Aesthetics ◼ Materials
◼ Product life span ◼ Standards
◼ Ergonomics ◼ Customer and user
◼ Quality and reliability ◼ Shelf life
◼ Processes ◼ Time-scales
◼ Testing ◼ Safety
◼ Company constraints ◼ Market constraints
◼ Patents and literature ◼ Political and social
◼ Legal ◼ Installation
◼ Documentation ◼ Disposal
Notes on the Product Specifications

◼ In establishing the specifications, the “must”


requirements that are not expressed by the
customers must be added by the design team.
 For example, applicable UL, FDA, FCC or EPA
regulatory requirements must be incorporated, even
though the customers may not express these as
being among their needs.
◼ The focus is on meeting the needs of the
customer and the demands of the market.
Additional notes
◼ The product specifications need to be used
throughout the product development process.
◼ The specifications should be specific. Vague
specifications do not force the team to confront
design weaknesses.
◼ The specifications should not be written in terms
of a particular design concept. They should state
what requirements a design concept must
satisfy, not how the requirements will be met.
Guidelines for the Construction of Metrics
◼ Metrics should be complete.
◼ Metrics should be dependent, not independent,
variables.
◼ Metrics should be practical.
◼ Some needs cannot easily be translated into
quantifiable metrics. In these cases, repeat the
need statement as a specification and note that
the metric is subjective and will be evaluated by
a panel of stakeholders.
◼ The metrics should include the popular criteria
for comparison in the marketplace.
Metric Guidelines
An Example
◼ Metrics should be complete.
◼ Metrics should be dependent, not
independent variables.
◼ Metrics should be practical.
◼ Some needs cannot easily be
translated into objective metrics.
In these cases, repeat the need
statement as a metric and note
Customer Need: that the metric is subjective and
will be evaluated by a panel of
The pen writes smoothly. stakeholders.
◼ The metrics should include the
Sample answers: popular criteria for comparison in
• Variation in line thickness (mm) the marketplace.
• Variation in ink coverage (cc/mm2)
• Functional range of writing force (N)
• Functional range of writing velocity (mm/sec)
• Functional range of pen angle from vertical (deg)
• Variation in resistance to translational motion (N)
• The pen feels comfortable (subj)

You might also like