Using DMADV to create new products

There are several methods out there when it comes to creating new products or new product lines. There are differing philosophies all that seem to concentrate on one or two key items in new products. One of these methods is called DMADV. DMADV is an acronym for the following processes: Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify. This process can be used to create new products and also to replace an existing system that is failing. DMADV is typically used in conjunction with Six Sigma processes. DMADV is described as follows:

Define
When creating new products it is essential to communicate your goals.If you don't have clear goals, your team is wandering aimlessly in the dark.It will draw out the design process immensely because no one knows what you want, not even yourself.What is the product you would like to create?What are the product's uses? What are the customer's needs?How does this product meet them? Defining each of the key elements of your project portrays a clear standard and goal that the company is shooting for.

Measure
Measurement is also important. How much of the product can you produce? How high is the demand?What is it exactly that the customer needs?How are you going to get the product to the customer? This step takes you through quantities and allows you to set up goals for your company. Measurement can include items other than number of shirt's you manufacturer. What is the customer satisfaction? How good is the quality control?

Analyze
You have defined your customer's needs. You know how much product the customer expects. You know how much product you can produce at this time. With your team you will analyze all of this information and come up with a basis of design. Basis of design is critical. It is the overall plan with a defined end result. An overall picture of how you will manufacture your new product. How you will deliver the product, any and all known opportunities that you may run in to, and how you will correct them. What is your risk? How you will you mitigate it?

Design
Now that you have analyzed all the information, you should have a basis of design and a rough outline on how you are going to proceed. It is now time to put all the pieces together. Assemble your design team and review the processes you have been through to date. Hopefully you have had them included throughout the entire process. Draw up the new product. Put your ideas down on paper. Decide what type of equipment you need to manufacture the product. How many machines will this require?Determine the availability of your resources. Plan everything down to the very last detail. This is the operations manual.

Verify
You need to verify that everything you have come up with will work. There are programs out there that can simulate processes. Or, you can try it on a smaller scale. If for some reason your plan did not work, go back to the analyze portion, find out what when wrong, modify the design and try the verification process again. Continuously verify your processes even after they have been put in place. There is always room for improvement.

Designing a new product and putting it in to place is a large investment. It takes manpower, brainstorming sessions, equipment, and some measure of risk. By using DMADV you have a clear direction that you are going to take while coming up with the design. DMADV help reduce your risk, reduce you time up front, reduce waste by having a game plan.