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Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

EMG 2506:RE LECTURE NOTES

PRODUCT ANALYSISBY: James M. Mutua

April 22, 2023

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INTRO.

•Product analysis means asking questions about a product and forming answers.

•It can mean experts analyzing a product or members of the general public or potential customers/groups of people.

•Product analysis can take place at almost any stage of the design process)

April 22, 2023

J. Mutua

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INTRODUCTIONApril 22, 2023

J. Mutua

• Product analysis can be carried out by:

1. An individual product being analyzed. 

2. Alternatively a number of similar products can be compared with each other using the same criteria.

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THE PURPOSE OF PRODUCT ANALYSIS

• A product may need analyzing by a potential customer to help him/her decide whether it is worth buying.

• A product may need analyzing so that the design can be improved. 

• Sometimes a prototype or model may be analysed. In this way improvements can be made before the full sized, costly product is manufactured.

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J. Mutua

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CRITERIA FOR PRODUCT ANALYSISApril 22, 2023

J. Mutua

WHAT IS A CRITERIA?

When analyzing a product first prepare a list of questions, this is known as a criteria.

Take an example of a table. For example, the criteria listed below could apply to the table when it is being analysed.

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CRITERIA FOR PRODUCT ANALYSISApril 22, 2023

J. Mutua

ERGONOMICSIs the table the right size (height, length and width). Will a potential customer need to stretch too far when using the table? Will this make it uncomfortable for the customer?

COSTHow much will it cost to manufacture the product and how much will it sell for in the shops?

AESTHETICSDoes the product look good? Is it stylish? Is the style to the customers liking.?

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CRITERIA FOR PRODUCT ANALYSISApril 22, 2023

J. Mutua

CONSTRUCTION METHODHow has the product been made? What joining methods/ techniques have been used? Is the product well constructed (will it fall apart when in use? Will it scratch easily? etc.....)

CLIENT REQUIREMENTSIs the product what the customer wants? What changes are required to make the product suitable for the client/customer? Does the customer like the product?

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CRITERIA FOR PRODUCT ANALYSISApril 22, 2023

J. Mutua

HEALTH AND SAFETYIs the product safe? Does it fulfil Health and Safety Laws?

COLOUR AND TEXTUREIs the colour/texture of the product effective? Or is it what the customer wants?

MATERIALSAre the materials suitable for this type of product? Are they quality materials or do they make the product look cheap?

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CRITERIA FOR PRODUCT ANALYSISApril 22, 2023

J. Mutua

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

What is the environmental impact of the product? Is it manufactured from materials supplied by sustainable sources? For example, if manufactured from natural woods have they been supplied from sustainable forests?Can the materials be recycled or reused?

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END

Thank you for listening

Questions & Comments

April 22, 2023

J. Mutua