A study of Irish medical device companies best practice new product development tools and methodologies
Naughton, Kevin
Naughton, Kevin
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2009
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Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate what New Product Development (NPD) process methodologies and what NPD tools are in use by Irish medical device companies, and to then recommend an adapted NPD process with the appropriate tools to deliver medical device companies a roadmap to choosing and bringing the right product to the market at the right time. Case Studies were conducted on three medical device companies with their own varying characteristics. Face-to-face interviews were carried out using semi-structured questionnaires. Three R&D team members from each of the six R&D teams were interviewed across three medical device companies. The findings found that Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) is used as an enhancement in all of the medical device companies, along with some Lean NPD initiatives, and a variety of NPD tools and methodologies and other varying characteristics. DFSS phase methodology can be concluded as a must have for the Irish medical device company. Medical device companies must allow a feedback loop at the end of their process, which will feed lessons learned back in and allow R&D teams to continually tweak their NPD process for the best fit for them. Lean NPD initiatives of value stream teams and reviewing the companies phase review usage should be followed. Cross functional team usage by the R&D team during NPD is a must. NPD tools and methodologies are a must have as part of the companies NPD process. Some are more than others. iv
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Ireland