Filippini, Roberto Salmaso, Luigi & Tessarolo, Paolo. (2004). Product Development Time Performance: Investigating the interactions between drivers. Journal of Product Innovation Management, (21), 199-214.

Format: Peer-reviewed article

Type: Research — Non-experimental

Experience level of reader: Advanced

Annotation: A manufacturer's survey indicates that three sets of drivers: 1) Development process; 2) Organizational mechanism, 3) Strategic capability drivers, interact to accelerate NPD time performance in synergistic ways, with the presence of a Strategic Guide an essential ingredient for synergy to occur.

Setting(s) to which the reported activities/findings are relevant: Large business, Small business (less than 500 employees)

Knowledge user(s) to whom the piece of literature may be relevant: Manufacturers

Knowledge user level addressed by the literature: Organization

This article uses the Commercial Devices and Services version of the NtK Model

Model: Pre-Development Phases (1 — 3), along with Supplier and Customer involvement in NPD process provide two benefits: 1) Increase product quality capability; 2) Accelerate pace of development by reducing uncertainty and false starts.
Survey of 85 firms manufacturing industrial goods for the mechanical and electronic sectors.
Occurrence of finding within the model: Stage 2, Stage 1, Stage 3

Method: A Strategic Guide involves clear definition and communication of NPD project goals. It facilitates Time Performance by reducing the level of uncertainty among staff, and enhances the influence of other drivers such as pre-development tasks (Stages 1 — 3), project-manager use, and supplier and customer involvement.
Survey of 85 firms manufacturing industrial goods for the mechanical and electronic sectors.
Occurrence of finding within the model: Stage 4

• The NPD process generally includes the following phases: idea generation, concept definition (where the original idea is translated into terms of the attributes and functions perceived by the customers), product concept test (to identify important attributes and improve the product concept), preliminary design, detailed design, prototyping and early modifications made during the pilot production phase before market launch. (Clark & Fujimoto [1991])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Stage 1
• The NPD process is characterized by uncertainty, it requires problem solving cycles, and it involves the creation and use of new knowledge. (Brown and Eisenhardt [1995]; Murmann [1994])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Stage 1

Method: Several factors help reduce overall NPD time including strategic factors such as reducing product complexity, stating strategic intent, minimizing technical difficulties, and increasing co-development with suppliers. (Griffin [1997a])
Occurrence of finding within the model: Stage 3, Stage 1, Stage 2

Tip: NPD is recognized as one of the most complex and difficult processes a company must manage. (Clark & Fujimoto [1991])
Occurrence of finding within the model: Stage 4