Technology development cycle

The development of a new technology follows a typical S-shaped curve [Figure 1.1.3(a)]. In its early stage, the progress is limited by the lack of ideas. A single good idea can make several other god ideas possible, and the rate of progress is exponential. Gradually the growth becomes linear when the fundamental ideas are in place and the progress is concerned with filling the gaps between, the key ideas. It is during this time when the commercial exploitation flourishes. But with time the technology begins to run dry and increased improvements come with greater difficulty. This matured technology grows slowly and approaches a limit asymptotically. The success of a technology based company lies in its capabilities of recognizing when the core technology on which the company’s products are based begin to mature and through an active R&D program, transfer to another technology growth curve [Figure 1.1.3(b)] which offers greater possibilities.

Figure 1.1.3  Schematic outline of (a) technology development curve, (b) improved program to develop new technology before the complete extinct of existing technology.

Identifying Customer Needs

It is usually the desire of the customers that drive the development of a new product or modification of an existing product. It is thus critical to collate the need or views of the customers when starting a design project. The needs of the customers can be gathered through multiple routes.

Interviewing with customers

An active team should constantly meet current and potential customers to identify the strength and weakness of a product so as to examine if there is any need to upgrade.

Focus group

A focus group refers to a small sub-set of existing customers or potential customers. A discussion is usually facilitated in many such groups separately to identify more closely the merits and demerits of the product.

Customer survey

A written questionnaire is possibly the best way to know the pubic opinions for redesigning an existing product or developing a new product.

Customer complaints

Complaints from customers provide a significant premise to identify the requisite improvement for an existing product.