NPI & Prototyping

Apply this to your next project

New product introduction is the controlled transition from a design into a repeatable production process. Prototype, pilot and volume builds answer different questions. A practical NPI plan names the evidence needed to move between them and the people responsible for approving the transition.

The resources in this topic help you make requirements explicit, compare alternatives and record the assumptions behind a manufacturing decision. Use them alongside your product specifications and the input of the responsible engineering team.

Practical starting points

• Name the objective of each build.
• Maintain a controlled revision matrix.
• Assign owners to unresolved issues.
• Define pilot acceptance before building.

Prepare your files with the RFQ checklist, or share your project requirements.