Product Specifications

Product SpecificationsPerform BenchmarkingEstablish target specificationsFinalize specifications

BenchmarkingThe continuous process of measuring products against the competitors or those recognized as industry leaders. Benchmarking ApproachStep 1: Make a list of design issuesexample coffee millIdentify design issues: price, grind time, fineness of grind, noise level, size

BenchmarkingStep 2: Make a list of competitive productsexample: coffee millKrups, Braun, Cuisinar, Bosch, .Step 3: Conduct an information searchGather as much information about the product as possible (functions they perform and targeted market)Sources: Internet, Trade Mag., Consumer Reports Mag., Thomas Register of Comp., Moodys Industry Review, National Bureau of Standards, Patents.

BenchmarkingComparison of coffee mills Consumer Report Magazine

BenchmarkingStep 4: Teardown the competitors product select competitive products that are leaders on some aspect, disassemble and make a list of all components.

BenchmarkingTeardown method Subtract and Operate Procedure (SOP)Disassemble (subtract) one component of the assembly or subassemblyOperate the product, if possible, through its full range.Analyze and document the effect.SOP determines the functionality and/or redundancies in an assembly.

BenchmarkingStep 5: Compare competitive products Summarize the comparison by component function and /or by customer needs importance.Step 6: Establish best-in-class competitor For each function, determine the highest performance solution. Also, determine the least expensive solution.

BenchmarkingStep 7: Manufacturing and Assembly cost Analysis. Coffee mill example

Comments on BenchmarkingGenerally speaking, benchmarking can be effective for understanding the market.It can identify key innovations and technologies.It will not uncover new innovations being developed by competition., provides lagging information.Do not benchmark all competitive products, stay away from loser products.If a company is a clear market leader, benchmarking may not offer much insight.Benchmarking requires wisdom and judgment.

Product SpecificationsTarget specifications are set before conceptual design.Specifications are refined after product concept has been selected.Specifications are frequently revisited and modified during the design process.A set of engineering targets that a product has to satisfy.Specifications are measurable criteria, goals for the design team.

Different Forms of ValueA particular number load capacity, 2000 lbs.A range weight between 10-20 lbs.An inequality speed less the 10 ft/sec. Or speed more than 5 ft/sec.

It is desired to make the product as light as possible is a wish requirement not an engineering specification.

Functional Requirements vs. Constraints

Functional RequirementsState the specific performance of the product, what the device should do.transfer torque, lift weight, increase speed,...Constraintsstate the limitations on the design, not directly related tothe function (cost, size, weight, safety issues, material, )Constraints can drive the solution of many products.Engineering requirements fall into two categories:

Example loudspeaker, qualitative specifications vs., quantitative

Process of Establishing SpecificationsPrepare a list of metrics Use customer needs Use the design team knowledge and experience Use specification breakdown list

Specification breakdown list

Quality Function Deployment, QFDQFD is a methodology for defining the customers desires in the customers own voice, prioritizing these desires, translating them into engineering requirements, and establishing targets for meeting the requirements.QFD was developed in 1972 at Mitsubishi, introduced into US by the Xerox Corp. and has been adopted by a number of industries, automobile, electronics,.

QFDIdentifying the Customer(s)Goal: Determine who will use the productDetermining Customer RequirementsGoal: Develop a complete list of all requirementsDetermining Relative Importance of the RequirementsGoal: Evaluate importance of each requirements

QFDCompetition BenchmarkingGoal: Determine how the customer perceives thecompetitions ability to meet the requirementsTranslating Customer Requirements into Measurable Engineering RequirementsGoal: Develop set of engineering requirements (design specifications) that are measurableSetting Engineering Targets for the DesignGoal: Determine target values for each engineeringrequirements

The House of QualityA summary of the product specifications and supporting data consisting of benchmarks, target values, and technical issues.

The House of Qualityautomatic ice tea brewer

Comments on House of QualityIt provides a large quantity of information in a very concise and well organized form.The intent of the House of Quality is consensus building.The matrix should not be too large.The matrix does not generate specification, it documents them.

Xerox Corp. copiers.Motor most expensive, power cord for assemblyFord, Charles Szuluk, benchmarking is a waste of time, 1998Lost touch with customer