In this phase, the product definition, the business opportunity and rationale for releasing a new product or significantly upgrading an existing product is assessed.
Ideas for these efforts are initiated by various functional units within the company. Customer sales & marketing personnel base their input on market feedback or exploration or by competitive pressures. The product development efforts may result in expanded technical abilities to be exploited.
Whatever the origin, the first step is the product definition of the proposed new product. In this phase the product is defined at a user and market level. It is important that the design input at this stage be as complete and consistent as possible because of the potential impact changes have on subsequent development activities.
The Product Opportunity Assessment (POA) document or a Phase 0 (or higher) proposal summarizes this process. Client approval is required before design work is initiated on a new product or a major change to an existing product. This authorization is in the form of the POA or a signed proposal. Approval documentation becomes part of the design history file.
A Product Development Plan (PDP) is then developed.
Phase 0 Inputs
There are no required inputs to Phase 0 although the new product is generally defined by the client or with user research obtained with OTI assistance.
Phase 0 Outputs:
- An approved POA
- An approved preliminary PDP
- Human Factors Engineering Plan (HFEP)
- Product Requirements Document (PRD)
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