Today's competitive and changing market, places high demands on companies ability to develop new products and is considered crucial for their survival. 40% of all new products are estimated to fail at launch and only one out of 7-10 products have a successful sale. The product development process includes all different activities that gradually transform a product, from idea to launch. Therefore, one of the biggest challenges in the product development process is to control these functions and integrate them with each other. Through integrated product development, collaboration between different functions can be improved and they can be involved at an earlier stage in the process. The purpose of this study is to investigate the importance of a more integrated work between the different functions in the product development process at a major manufacturing company. This work has been performed through a case study at a larger manufacturing company that has a complex product development process with many activities and several functions involved. To collect the empirical material, qualitative data collection methods in the form of semi-structured interviews and document collection have been used. The empirical material together with previous research in the subject has formed the study's analysis and discussion. Furthermore, the conclusion was based on the result of the discussion and analysis. The study's empirical evidence shows that the functions of the case company are in various degrees involved in the product development process and that some functions are given priority. This lead, among other things, to delayed projects, not fully utilized competence and a lack of holistic view. Furthermore, the different functions within the company have a lack of understanding of each other's work. The company needs to improve communication internally since handover in the product development process often fails. Mail has become a major part of the communication and collocation has improved the function's interaction. The company wants to standardize the activities in the product development process to create a more uniform way of working in the organization. The results of this study indicate that integrated work between the functions has a positive effect on the product development process. However, there are factors that make the integrated work more difficult. By working more integrated within the process, this study suggests that the holistic approach for functions would be improved, priorities would be better and that understanding of others' work would increase. Furthermore, a more integrated way of working would help to minimize time from idea to launch. / Dagens konkurrenskraftiga och föränderliga marknad ställer höga krav på företags förmåga att ta fram nya produkter och det anses vara avgörande för deras överlevnad. Vid lansering uppskattas 40 % av alla nya produkter misslyckas och endast en av 7-10 produkter får en framgångsrik försäljning (Cooper, 2019). Produktutvecklingsprocessen innefattar alla de olika aktiviteter som stegvis omvandlar en produkt, från idé till lansering. En utmaning som större tillverkande företag står inför är att styra och integrera involverade funktioner med varandra i produktutvecklingen. Genom att arbeta med integrerad produktutveckling kan samverkan mellan funktioner förbättras och funktioner kan involveras i ett tidigare skede i produktutvecklingsprocessen. Syftet med den här studien är att undersöka betydelsen av ett mer integrerat arbete mellan ett större tillverkande företags funktioner i produktutvecklingsprocessen. Det här arbetet har utförts genom en fallstudie på ett större tillverkande företag som har en komplex produktutvecklingsprocess med många aktiviteter och flera funktioner. För att samla in det empiriska materialet har kvalitativa datainsamlingsmetoder i form av semistrukturerade intervjuer och dokumentinsamling använts. Fortsatt har det empiriska materialet tillsammans med tidigare forskning inom ämnet bildat studiens analys och diskussion. Vidare togs slutsatsen fram efter avslutad diskussion och analys. I studiens empiri framgår det att fallföretagets funktioner är olika mycket involverade i produktutvecklingsprocessen och att en del funktioner nedprioriteras. Detta leder bland annat till försenade projekt, att kompetens inte tas tillvara och att helhetssynen blir sämre. Vidare har personer från fallföretagets olika funktioner en bristande förståelse för varandras arbete. Företaget behöver bli bättre på att kommunicera internt eftersom överlämningarna i produktutvecklingsprocessen ofta brister. Mail har försvårat den interna kommunikationen medan samlokalisering har förbättrat funktionernas samverkan. Fortsatt vill företaget standardisera aktiviteterna i produktutvecklingsprocessen för att skapa mer enhetlighet i organisationen. Den här studiens resultat påvisar att ett mer integrerat arbete mellan funktionerna har en positiv effekt för arbetet inom produktutvecklingen. Däremot finns det faktorer som försvårar det integrerade arbetet. Genom att arbeta mer integrerat inom processen tyder den här studien på att helhetssynen för funktioner skulle förbättras, prioriteringar skulle bli bättre samt att förståelsen för andras arbeten skulle öka. Ett mer integrerat arbete skulle även kunna minimera fallföretags tid från idé till lansering.

A adoção de estratégias de cooperação tem se tornado uma prática comum das empresas a fim de distribuir esforços de seus processos de negócios. Dentre eles está o processo de desenvolvimento de produto que é um dos principais focos de vários tipos de cooperação, pois a realização de seu sucesso garante a permanência mais segura da empresa e de seus potenciais parceiros no atual ambiente de elevada competição. Existem características multidimensionais desses tipos de cooperação que provocam efeitos sobre o desempenho do processo de desenvolvimento de produto, podendo alterar de modo significativo a chance de sucesso do empreendimento. Deste aspecto observado, surgiu o objetivo de pesquisa deste trabalho, que consiste de analisar os efeitos da flexibilidade organizacional e do risco sobre métricas de desempenho do processo de desenvolvimento de produto colaborativo em empresa estendida. Para isso, foi estudado um caso prático de empresa estendida, onde o foco principal é o desenvolvimento de produto colaborativo, cujo efeito da flexibilidade e do risco foi analisado. A pesquisa também foi auxiliada por uma revisão bibliográfica pertinente aos temas principais. / In order to share businesses processes efforts severaI types of strategic co-operation has been adopted by many enterprises. Among all the businesses processes product development process has increased in importance for strategic co-operation field study because nowadays the maintenance of a steady competitive business scenario is needed. As strategic co-operation formation\'s components some multidimensional characteristics might reduce odds of a succeeded new product if a side effect is not correctly monitored and causes some kind of loss in process performance. So based on such correlation this research analyses potential deviations caused by risk and organizational flexibility in the product development process\' performance within an extended enterprise. To fulfill the main objective a field study was developed together with a thorough literature review.

A adoção de estratégias de cooperação tem se tornado uma prática comum das empresas a fim de distribuir esforços de seus processos de negócios. Dentre eles está o processo de desenvolvimento de produto que é um dos principais focos de vários tipos de cooperação, pois a realização de seu sucesso garante a permanência mais segura da empresa e de seus potenciais parceiros no atual ambiente de elevada competição. Existem características multidimensionais desses tipos de cooperação que provocam efeitos sobre o desempenho do processo de desenvolvimento de produto, podendo alterar de modo significativo a chance de sucesso do empreendimento. Deste aspecto observado, surgiu o objetivo de pesquisa deste trabalho, que consiste de analisar os efeitos da flexibilidade organizacional e do risco sobre métricas de desempenho do processo de desenvolvimento de produto colaborativo em empresa estendida. Para isso, foi estudado um caso prático de empresa estendida, onde o foco principal é o desenvolvimento de produto colaborativo, cujo efeito da flexibilidade e do risco foi analisado. A pesquisa também foi auxiliada por uma revisão bibliográfica pertinente aos temas principais. / In order to share businesses processes efforts severaI types of strategic co-operation has been adopted by many enterprises. Among all the businesses processes product development process has increased in importance for strategic co-operation field study because nowadays the maintenance of a steady competitive business scenario is needed. As strategic co-operation formation\'s components some multidimensional characteristics might reduce odds of a succeeded new product if a side effect is not correctly monitored and causes some kind of loss in process performance. So based on such correlation this research analyses potential deviations caused by risk and organizational flexibility in the product development process\' performance within an extended enterprise. To fulfill the main objective a field study was developed together with a thorough literature review.

<p>The increasing complexity of products and systems today has forced new processes, methods, and tools for managing the development of products. It has also forced the development of complex organisations and diverse relationships among functions and peoples within product development organisations. This implies a need for integrated processes. There is a need to study collaborative product development (CPD) from a holistic perspective, where internal as well as external collaboration are studied as integrated parts of CPD settings.</p><p>Thus, the main purpose of the research project is to facilitate the efficient execution of collaborative product development projects in the manufacturing industry. Further, the objective is to provide a supporting model for analysing and setting up projects in CPD settings. This will enable successful product development in terms of lowering costs, increasing the perceived quality of the product, and improving the timing to market. The focus is on the CPD projects, linking internal and external collaboration.</p><p>A systems approach is applied to the research project to obtain the holistic view needed for addressing the CPD setting. Within the research project, case study research is used as the primary method when gathering empirics. The results from four case studies are tested and analysed in a concluding survey.</p><p>The results show that shared visions and goals, the decision-making process, tools and methods, requirement management, and involvement are the most important factors for efficient CPD projects. If the collaborative complexity is high, the first four factors are especially important. The results are presented in a model to be used as a support when setting-up and managing CPD projects. The model is applied together with a process for managing CPD projects.</p>

The increasing complexity of products and systems today has forced new processes, methods, and tools for managing the development of products. It has also forced the development of complex organisations and diverse relationships among functions and peoples within product development organisations. This implies a need for integrated processes. There is a need to study collaborative product development (CPD) from a holistic perspective, where internal as well as external collaboration are studied as integrated parts of CPD settings. Thus, the main purpose of the research project is to facilitate the efficient execution of collaborative product development projects in the manufacturing industry. Further, the objective is to provide a supporting model for analysing and setting up projects in CPD settings. This will enable successful product development in terms of lowering costs, increasing the perceived quality of the product, and improving the timing to market. The focus is on the CPD projects, linking internal and external collaboration. A systems approach is applied to the research project to obtain the holistic view needed for addressing the CPD setting. Within the research project, case study research is used as the primary method when gathering empirics. The results from four case studies are tested and analysed in a concluding survey. The results show that shared visions and goals, the decision-making process, tools and methods, requirement management, and involvement are the most important factors for efficient CPD projects. If the collaborative complexity is high, the first four factors are especially important. The results are presented in a model to be used as a support when setting-up and managing CPD projects. The model is applied together with a process for managing CPD projects.

Where do companies begin their efforts when trying to improve information management in product development? In large companies involving many people, multiple processes and highly technological products several factors have an impact on efficiency. Interdisciplinary integration and structured information are two overall proposed key factors that have been identified as important to obtain efficient information management. Measurement of satisfaction level among information systems users is proposed as an angle of approach to identify key improvement areas from an operative perspective that are argued to be strategic for management to address. However, the need for adjustments to contextual prerequisites and a changing environment makes evaluation necessary prior to measurement. An evaluation framework is proposed to identify metrics that are tailored and kept in line with business and development strategies to ensure their relevancy. This research has aimed at taking a holistic approach to information management in complex product development. The research focus has been on the integration between engineering disciplines where software and electrical R&amp;D departments at automotive companies have been the main source of the analysis material. Integrated information management entails support for activities within the engineering domain. Several strategies are discussed to manage trade-offs in organizations in order to succeed with integrated information management. A needs-based balance is one important approach proposed to resolve changing and conflicting needs. Furthermore, it is argued that operative and strategic goals should be allowed to co-exist. Providing the right infrastructure to support designers in their everyday work does not necessarily mean additional functionality to existing information systems or automated work activities by improved document templates. Rather, it is suggested that a shift in focus (from addressing detailed requirements management to reflecting on interrelationships between information objects and system inter-dependencies) would be a strong mechanism to succeed with information management. The transition into model-based development is argued to be a much needed change for organizations to obtain integrated information management, since a model-based approach is considered an important basis for structured information. Anticipated benefits with integrated information management are increased information availability, reduced information overflow, and enhanced communication and understanding of critical system dependencies / QC 20100730

En balans mellan hållbar utveckling, klassisk design och unikitet kan bidra till att minska dagens konsumtion. Begreppet ekodesign innefattar en produkts miljöpåverkan genom dess livscykel utan att äventyra med andra komponenter som kvalité, kostnad och formgivning. Att skapa en innovativ ekodesignad produkt utan att kompromissa skapar en hög attraktionsnivå och gör det enklare för kund att välja rätt, vilket medför ett högt kundvärde där produkten får leva genom generationer. Syftet med studien var att ta fram ett unikt ekodesignat produktförslag för uppdragsgivaren Ekdahls möbler som skall kunna brukas och uppskattas genom flera generationer där följande frågeställningar besvarats; [1] Vilka gemensamma framgångsfaktorer utgör en klassiskt designad sittmöbel? [2] Hur kan man utveckla en unik ekodesignad sittmöbel? För att besvara studiens första frågeställning genomfördes en dokumentundersökning som följts av en sambandsmatris för att konstatera de gemensamma framgångsfaktorerna hos klassiskt designade stolar. En intervju genomfördes för att analysera och stärka framgångsfaktorerna. Arbetet resulterade i att följande framgångsfaktorer var avgörande för en klassisk designad sittmöbel; unik, komfortabel, kvalitativ, estetisk, kreativ och användarvänlig vilka utgjorde formspråket på det slutliga produktförslaget. För att besvara studiens andra frågeställning tillämpades en designprocess där integrering av verktyg för ekodesign i form av statusanalys, kravspecifikation, funktion- och livscykelanalys samt ekostrategihjulet skapade ett miljöarbete samt en skräddarsydd och mer anpassad process för framtagningen av studiens produktförslag. Genom att följa designprocessens alla steg grundligt med komplettering av integrerade verktyg för ekodesign skapades inte bara en unik utvecklingsprocess utan även ett unikt projekt mot en ekodesignad produkt. Unikiteten är den framgångsfaktorn som värderades högst. Genom att leva upp till den samt de andra framgångsfaktorerna i det slutliga produktförslaget skapades en möjlighet att bli eftersträvansvärd på marknaden och på så sätt även öka livslängden för produkten.Produkten utstrålar klassisk och säregen design där kärleken för naturmaterial och kvalité står i centrum. Genom dess optimering i synpunkt på miljöpåverkan och dess unika formspråk är det en produkt att stolt leva med genom flera generationer. / A balance between sustainable development, classic design and uniqueness can help to reduce today’s consumption. The concept of eco-design includes a product's environmental impact throughout its life cycle without compromising with other components such as quality, cost and design. Creating an innovative eco-designed product without compromising makes it highly attractive and easier for the customer to choose the right product resulting in high customer value where it will live through generations. The purpose of the study was to develop a unique eco-designed product suggestion, for the client Ekdahls möbler, that will be used and appreciated by many generations in which the following questions were answered; [1] What common factors of success represent classically designed seating furniture? [2] How can a unique eco-designed seating furniture be developed? To answer the first question of the study a document investigation followed by a connection matrix was done to determine common success factors of classically designed chairs. An interview was conducted to analyze and strengthen the success factors. The result showed that the following success factors were crucial for a classically designed seating furniture; unique, comfortable, qualitative, aesthetic, creative and user friendly which constitute the design language of the final product proposal. To answer the second question of the study a design process was applied in which the integration of eco-design tools in the form of status analysis, requirements specification, functional and lifecycle analysis and the eco strategy wheel created an environmental and tailored process for the development of the study’s product proposals.' By following the design process’s every step thoroughly with supplementation of integrated tools for eco-design not only a unique development process was created, but also a unique project towards an eco-designed product. Uniqueness is the success factor valued most. By living up to it as well as the other factors for success in the final product proposal, an opportunity to become desirable in the market was created and thus also increase the longevity of the product.The product radiates classic and distinctive design where the love for natural materials and quality are central. Through its optimization of environmental impact and its unique design language it is a product to proudly live with through several generations.

A evolução das ferramentas computacionais, aliada à tecnologia da informação (TI) e ao ambiente web possibilitam a realização de projetos colaborativos, com maior integração de procedimentos, visando à comunicação, à coordenação e à cooperação da equipe multidisciplinar. O estudo de caso, realizado para o projeto de produto edificação, foi desenvolvido com a aplicação de um questionário nos escritórios de projeto em Porto Alegre e apontou para uma situação diversa da efetiva utilização destas ferramentas. O desafio do trabalho está no fato de se estabelecer os requisitos das equipes de projeto, para o desenvolvimento de um sistema de gestão do conhecimento, com a utilização da estrutura de metadados para conceber um mecanismo de busca das informações. O desenvolvimento do processo de investigação apresentou a influência da TI no setor de projetos; a adoção de um modelo de referência para gerenciamento do processo de projeto integrado de edificações (GPPIE) e a possibilidade de integração eficaz com um SGBD. / The evolution of computational tools, along with information technology (IT) and the web environment allow for collaborative projects, with a greater integration of procedures for communication, coordination and cooperation of the multidisciplinary team. The case study was conducted for the building design product, was developed with a questionnaire in the design offices in Porto Alegre, and pointed to a situation different from the effective use of these tools. The challenge of the work is to establish the requirements of the design team, developing a management system of Knowledge, using the metadata structure designing a search engine information. The development of the research showed the influence of IT in the design, the adoption of a reference model for building integrated design process management (BIDPM) and the possibility of effective combination with a DBMS.

A evolução das ferramentas computacionais, aliada à tecnologia da informação (TI) e ao ambiente web possibilitam a realização de projetos colaborativos, com maior integração de procedimentos, visando à comunicação, à coordenação e à cooperação da equipe multidisciplinar. O estudo de caso, realizado para o projeto de produto edificação, foi desenvolvido com a aplicação de um questionário nos escritórios de projeto em Porto Alegre e apontou para uma situação diversa da efetiva utilização destas ferramentas. O desafio do trabalho está no fato de se estabelecer os requisitos das equipes de projeto, para o desenvolvimento de um sistema de gestão do conhecimento, com a utilização da estrutura de metadados para conceber um mecanismo de busca das informações. O desenvolvimento do processo de investigação apresentou a influência da TI no setor de projetos; a adoção de um modelo de referência para gerenciamento do processo de projeto integrado de edificações (GPPIE) e a possibilidade de integração eficaz com um SGBD. / The evolution of computational tools, along with information technology (IT) and the web environment allow for collaborative projects, with a greater integration of procedures for communication, coordination and cooperation of the multidisciplinary team. The case study was conducted for the building design product, was developed with a questionnaire in the design offices in Porto Alegre, and pointed to a situation different from the effective use of these tools. The challenge of the work is to establish the requirements of the design team, developing a management system of Knowledge, using the metadata structure designing a search engine information. The development of the research showed the influence of IT in the design, the adoption of a reference model for building integrated design process management (BIDPM) and the possibility of effective combination with a DBMS.

A evolução das ferramentas computacionais, aliada à tecnologia da informação (TI) e ao ambiente web possibilitam a realização de projetos colaborativos, com maior integração de procedimentos, visando à comunicação, à coordenação e à cooperação da equipe multidisciplinar. O estudo de caso, realizado para o projeto de produto edificação, foi desenvolvido com a aplicação de um questionário nos escritórios de projeto em Porto Alegre e apontou para uma situação diversa da efetiva utilização destas ferramentas. O desafio do trabalho está no fato de se estabelecer os requisitos das equipes de projeto, para o desenvolvimento de um sistema de gestão do conhecimento, com a utilização da estrutura de metadados para conceber um mecanismo de busca das informações. O desenvolvimento do processo de investigação apresentou a influência da TI no setor de projetos; a adoção de um modelo de referência para gerenciamento do processo de projeto integrado de edificações (GPPIE) e a possibilidade de integração eficaz com um SGBD. / The evolution of computational tools, along with information technology (IT) and the web environment allow for collaborative projects, with a greater integration of procedures for communication, coordination and cooperation of the multidisciplinary team. The case study was conducted for the building design product, was developed with a questionnaire in the design offices in Porto Alegre, and pointed to a situation different from the effective use of these tools. The challenge of the work is to establish the requirements of the design team, developing a management system of Knowledge, using the metadata structure designing a search engine information. The development of the research showed the influence of IT in the design, the adoption of a reference model for building integrated design process management (BIDPM) and the possibility of effective combination with a DBMS.