Introduction to New Product Introduction

(NPI)
Every year there are huge trade shows where companies reveal all the latest new
products in hopes to draw interest from distributors, dealers and prospective
customers. There are Auto shows, Electronics shows and Agricultural shows just to
name a few. Most manufacturing companies participate in one or more of the
various product expos held around the globe. Companies are continually
improving existing products or introducing the latest “all new” models. What
many people do not see or even think about is all the work that was involved in
the design, development and introduction of the new products. Introduction of
new products that consumers want requires correct and thorough information,
time and dedicated resources from the entire organization. The companies that
are most successful at the development and launch of a new or revised product
follow an organized and well-planned process. New Product Introduction (NPI)
helps bring all the right resources together at the right time.

What is New Product Introduction (NPI)

A New Product Introduction (NPI) program encompasses all the activities within an
organization to define, develop and launch a new or improved product. The
product could be something tangible, as in the case of a new model automobile, or
intangible as in a particular service offered. The acronyms NPI (New Product
Introduction) and NPD (New Product Development) are used interchangeably by
many organizations. In some cases, NPI activities begin after design and
development and merely deal with the product production launch and marketing.
The NPI process can vary greatly from organization to organization. In some cases,
it can actually vary within different divisions of the same company. For an NPI
process to succeed it must have full active support of upper management in all
divisions and departments. An effective NPI program involves a large amount of
cross-functional communication and teamwork.

Why Implement New Product Introduction

(NPI)
Most successful organizations realize the importance of implementing an NPI
process. In today’s highly competitive market, companies must develop the right
product, at the right time and the right cost. Developing and following a robust
NPI process can denote the difference between success and failure. Some of the
many advantages of New Product Introduction include (but are not limited to):
 Reduced Development Cost: By incorporating the Voice of Customer
(VOC) into the early stages of the project, the design team can avoid
 late design changes, multiple revisions and repeated costly validation
testing
 Faster Time to Market: With a reduction in development time, the
product will reach the consumer and begin generating revenue sooner.
 More Efficient Manufacturing: Through the effective use of Design for
Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA) best practices, products
are designed with the process in mind.
 Improved Product Quality: The NPI process incorporates tools targeted at
ensuring the product meets customer needs and the process is capable
of producing quality products on a consistent basis.

How to Implement New Product Introduction

(NPI)
A New Product Introduction process can consist of various phases or gates. The
phase gate system keeps management apprised of the project progress and
assures all activities are completed on time. The example shown below consists of
six phases:
1. Define
2. Feasibility
3. Develop
4. Validate
5. Implement
6. Evaluate

Each phase of the NPI process feed into the next. Many organizations look at the
process as having a beginning (Define) and an end (Evaluate). Some variations
combine Define and Feasibility into one phase and Develop and Validate into
another. All too many companies leave the Evaluate phase out completely, thus
losing valuable information for future projects. The fact is, the NPI process is not a
straight line. Instead, it is an endless circle or loop. The hardest phase to
complete for many organizations is the Evaluate phase. Once the product is on the
market, we rush to the next one and then the next, failing to feed lessons learned
into subsequent projects.
At each phase of an NPI project, there are inputs and outputs. In addition, there
are various requirements, tools, documentation and processes within each phase.
The following sections will cover each of the project phase requirements.

Define
During the Define Phase, the product’s functional / performance requirements are
defined along with the VOC. The Marketing and Product Management divisions of
an organization are usually the primary sources of this information. The product
requirements are converted to design specifications, often using the Quality
Function Deployment (QFD) process. The design specifications are integrated
into one or more concepts to be reviewed by the project team. The management
team should develop a Project Charter. The information contained in the charter
should include, but is not limited to, the following:
 Background Information
 Primary Objectives
 Project Scope
 Key Deliverables and Dates
 Project Budget
 Identify Stakeholders and Sponsor
 Identify Project Manager and Define the Team
 Review Possible Constraints / Assumptions / Concerns / Risks
In addition to the design concepts and the project charter, an initial business case
is developed during the define phase. The business case should identify the
market or customer and the competition. Thorough Cost Benefit, Sensitivity, Risk
and Contingency Analysis’ should be contained within the business case along
with clear definitions of success and failure. The business case is reviewed at each
phase of the project.
Feasibility
The purpose of the Feasibility Phase is to allow management an opportunity to
evaluate the project’s potential for success. During the Feasibility Phase, the
project team reviews the product design concepts and selects the design that best
fulfills the previously defined requirements. The business case is reviewed and
refined. The outputs or deliverables of the Feasibility Phase should include (but are
not limited to):
 Boundary Diagram: A graphic tool defining the scope of the project, along
with internal and external interactions
 Preliminary Design Concept: Includes a high level Bill of Material (BOM)
 Process Flow Diagram: Outline the basic processes required for
production
During the gate review, the project team presents all applicable information
regarding the selected design concept, proposed location and method of
manufacture, including strengths and risks of the project, an updated business
case and the current strengths and risks of the project. The output or result is a
determination of whether the project and proposed product design should move
forward to the next phase, be redesigned, or abandoned altogether.
Develop
The Develop Phase activities are focused on advancing the product design
features and characteristics into a more defined form while assessing risk in the
design. A validation plan is also developed during this phase. A comprehensive
review of the design is performed to evaluate the robustness of the design and its
ability to meet customer and performance requirements. DFM/A activities are
initiated prior to design completion or design freeze. In addition, the process
required for production is being evaluated, including location, space requirements,
equipment and preliminary process mapping. Furthermore, other business units
are being pulled into the project to address any operational concerns such as
material forecasting, supplier selection and development, etc. Some of the
common outputs of the Develop Phase are listed below:
 3D Models of the Design
 Concept Level Drawings
 Bill of Materials (BOM)
 Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA)
 Design Verification Plan and Report (DVP&R)
 DFM/A Reviews
 Manufacturing Preliminary Footprint
 Safety / Regulatory Audit Reports
 Preliminary Engineering Design Freeze
During the gate review, the project team presents updated information about the
design, project timeline, risk assessments and an updated business plan or report
of financial status. The management team will determine if the project should
move to the next phase or refine the design or test plan further prior to
proceeding.
Validate
During the Validate Phase, product analysis and testing are performed. Some
testing cannot occur until prototype parts are available. Design changes are
possible due to the results of validation testing but very costly. In addition, the
manufacturing process is developing and process risk is being analyzed and
addressed. The major steps of the manufacturing process are being developed
and reviewed. Product analysis and the testing schedule are being developed and
prototype parts completed. Some of the common outputs of the Validate Phase
are listed below:
 Packaging Standards
 Production Level Drawings
 Design Validation Plan and Report (DVP&R)
 Process Flow / Process Mapping
 Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (PFMEA)
 Review Supplier Production Part Approval Process
(PPAP) Submissions
 Prototype – Process Work Instructions
 Fixture / Tooling Creation and Build
 Prototype Builds
Upon completion of the activities conducted during Validate Phase, the team
should review the project with the owner and stakeholders. The purpose of this
gate review is to gain management approval to move the project forward to the
next phase and keep lines of communication active.

Implement
During the Implement Phase of the NPI process the manufacturing processes are
refined and validated through pilot builds and capability studies. In addition,
process documentation and quality controls are being developed and
implemented. Furthermore, various other activities are on-going including, but
not limited to, the following examples:
 Development of Manuals
 Pricelist / Catalogue / Quote Tool
 Process Work Instructions and Standard Work
 Approval of Supplier PPAP Submissions Internal Training of Associates
 External Training of Sales, Dealers, etc.
 Production Control Plans
 Significant Production Run / Pilot Build
 Process Capability Studies / Statistical Process Control (SPC)
 Packaging Evaluations
 Final Safety / Regulatory Review

Evaluate
The Evaluate Phase timing can vary depending upon the organization, the product
being produced or the service provided. It is generally initiated 30 to 60 days
following production launch. The Evaluate Phase serves several purposes in the
product introduction process. This phase provides the team an opportunity to tie
up any remaining documentation tasks, review process performance and collect
customer feedback on the new product.
The team should also take this opportunity to review any lessons learned and
document them for use in future projects. One tool that has proven effective for
some organizations is the TGR/TGW exercise. TGR/TGW stands for “Things Gone
Right / Things Gone Wrong”. During this exercise the team gathers to take an
objective look at the project. Discussion revolves around all the things that went
well and the things that may not have gone well or could have been improved. The
causes of the TGWs are examined and countermeasures developed to prevent re-
occurrence in the next project. The TGRs should be carried over to future projects
as a continuous improvement effort within the NPI process. The integration of
lessons learned into future projects essentially closes the loop in NPI, helping to
retain valuable information and develop a more robust and progressive NPI
process.