PROBLEM-SOLVING IN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - A MODEL FOR THE ADVANCED MATERIALS INDUSTRIES

Problem solving has been identified as a key aspect of product develop ment. Yet existing descriptive models of problem solving in product de velopment are derived from experience in traditional fabrication and a ssembly-based industries. This paper examines the sequence of problem solving activities in the advanced materials industries. As opposed to the paradigm of product development seen in industries based on tradi tional metal fabrication and assembly production technology, developme nt activities in advanced materials industries are focused around a co re effort in process development. The paper characterizes the steps of design and the associated testing patterns in the advanced materials industries. The model formalizes the emphasis on process design and pr ocess experimentation, providing a richer description of the problem-s olving sequence than the traditional design-build-test sequence so com mon in the fabrication/assembly industries.