FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE PRODUCT

DEVELOPMENT

DZULKIFLI AWANG, PHD

So..It was from these influences

that make us develop a product
...to DESIGN? or INVENT?

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Product Analysis is the process of identifying,
looking at or disassembling a product and
identifying its main features. The aim is to
understand more about a product and improve it
in the future. Many factors influence the
development of a product, some are listed
below:-

The rich picture below gives an outline to some of the many factors that affect the development of a
product. Below is more detail regarding each of the points mentioned above.

1. COST
The cost of the materials and labour required to
manufacture the product. The price potential
customers are prepared to pay for the product.

2. ERGONOMICS
The product may be designed for human use. As
a result ergonomics (sizes etc...) will pay a major
role.

3. MATERIALS
The availability of materials and the development of new,
hi-technology materials will have an influence on the final
design of a product.

4. CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS
The customer will have great influence over the way a product is
designed and develops. As a product is designed it is normal for
potential customers to be questioned about the type of product or
design that they prefer. For example, when designing a mobile
phone a design team will show potential customers several
designs and make changes according to their likes and dislikes.

5. INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION
All products are manufactured through one of the
following manufacturing techniques:
a) Single Item / Prototype / One Off
b) Batch Production
c) Continuous Production
d) Just in Time
When designing a product the most desirable
production technique may influence the way the final
product looks.

6. COMPANY IDENTITY
The product may have to display the company image. Most
companies are proud of their public image. This may determine
the colour scheme applied to the product, the way it looks or
even the materials that are used in its manufacture (i.e. recycled
materials).

7. AESTHETICS
The shape and form of the product may determine the layout of
circuits or mechanisms etc.. inside it. Products are often
designed to look stylish. The style applied to the outside of a
product can quite easily influence the technology inside it.
Aesthetics can also alter the production / manufacturing
techniques through which it is made.

8. FASHION
The fashion of the time influences the design of
products. Usually people want to buy up to date
items not ones based on 'last years look'.

9. CULTURE
Some products are aimed at different cultures and countries. A
product acceptable in one culture may be looked up one as
offensive or less desirable in another. The use of colours and
colour schemes are a good example of this.

10. FUNCTIONS
The number of functions a product has to
perform will inevitably affect its design. Exactly
what is the product going to do?

11. ENVIRONMENT
Many people (potential customers) are
concerned about their environment and the
damage to it caused by industrial production.
When designing a product it may be wise to
ensure that the materials can be recycled or the
product itself can be manufactured from a large
proportion of recycled material.

So..It was from these

influences that make us
DESIGN? or INVENT? or
INNOVATE?

NOW..are you ready to INVENT

or INNOVATE or in a general
terms known as DESIGN

Thank you for your attention