Pro-DFM: A Multi Factor Model for Integrating Design for Manufacturability in the New Product Development (NPD) Process

Product development has become a relatively expensive and high-risk process, that is characterized by increasingly shorter lifecycles and higher degrees of competitiveness. To maximize the efficiency and success of their product development initiatives many companies have adopted and implemented a NPD process. These NPD processes range from the semi-structured to the structured, and typically involve a series of stages and gates. The primary goal of NPD is to deliver a product with high functional utility, and attractive features resulting in market success for the product. In addition, there are several general process objectives (see table 1).