Jess Holmes http://www.chemvent.com 2m 524
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Insight Into Product Development
Businesses often try to revitalize or kick-start their ventures with new products. It’s a complex task; new product development is often expensive, and there is really no upside to a product that performs poorly on the market. A failed launch can take a financial and emotional toll on those responsible for the product in question.
There is no recipe for ensuring success beyond doubt, but there are a number of stumbling blocks that many people will trip over when working toward the release of a new product– the avoidance of which can aid a business in creating said product. Some of these are explained in this article, along with ways to avoid falling victim to them:
Necessity is the mother of invention
Before entering into development, be certain that you have thoroughly researched your market and determined that there is a need for that product. Otherwise, you will end up with all supply and no demand, a sure recipe for disaster. Many inventors focus on their legacy, or the initial “fire” of an idea. This is a mistake – the only focus should be the customer’s willingness to pay for the product.
It takes money to make money
In development, the right amount of money can be your key to success. Underfunded projects often fail long before launch. Conversely, projects that are overfunded can be breeding grounds for wastefulness and a lack of productivity. Working diligently to ensure that you calculate a realistic and appropriate budget is essential.
Be accountable
If you’re going to spend all that money, make sure that yourself and all involved team members are accountable for money spent. Depending on your company’s total operating budget, as much as 30% of total company resources could be devoted to research and development.
Collaborate
Don’t be afraid to work with other minds, other companies, and people with the know how to manufacture your dream. The product development process is as much about perspiration as it is inspiration. If you or a member of your team has a winning idea, a winning combination of involved parties will often lead to a successful product launch.
Eliminate waste
The biggest enemy of any product is, of course, related to the working budget. In order to maximize success, you have to minimize wasted resources. Without allocating an absurd amount of time to it, your goal in product development should be to create and foster an environment in which little is wasted. Key steps in the development plan should be laid out with the person or persons responsible for those steps made aware of their responsibilities and timeline.
Evaluate risk
Risk evaluation is a huge part of the development of a new product. How much of a company’s liquid financial resources to devote, which company employees or team members should be part of the development process, when and how to involve third parties … a great deal goes into it. Risk evaluation should be undertaken by a professional and involved in every step in the planning and development stages of your product.
Jess Holmes is an avid blogger who enjoys writing about business and tech.
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