Article: Hybrid development of physical products based on systems engineering and design thinking: towards a new process model Journal: Journal of Design Research (JDR) 2024 Vol.21 No.3/4 pp.210 - 261 Abstract: Hybrid process models combine elements of agile approaches with stage-gate processes from systems engineering to address the specific challenges of developing physical products. However, there is currently no established hybrid product development process model that has been widely adopted in the industrial practice of new product development (NPD). The aim of this paper is to develop a hybrid product development process model that has a high practical suitability for the development of physical products. Our paper begins by defining the fundamental principle of agile development with regard to engineering design methodology. Subsequently, we analyse Stanford's hybrid ME310 process model's practical suitability for the development of physical products, both theoretically and empirically. Based on the process model's limitations identified in these analyses, we create a new hybrid process model called 'Systematic Engineering-Design-Thinking' (SEDT), which builds on the ME310 process model but integrates essential methods from systems engineering to improve solution space exploration. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Hybrid development of physical products based on systems engineering and design thinking: towards a new process model

Authors: Frank Koppenhagen; Tim Blümel; Tobias Held; Christoph H. Wecht; Paul D. Kollmer

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Production Management, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg), Hamburg, 20099, Germany ' Exterior Development of Aerodynamic Components, Porsche AG, Weissach, 71287, Germany ' Department of Mechanical Engineering and Production Management, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg), Hamburg, 20099, Germany ' Faculty of Engineering and Business, New Design University, St. Pölten, 3141, Austria ' Institute of English and American Studies, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, 20146, Germany

Abstract: Hybrid process models combine elements of agile approaches with stage-gate processes from systems engineering to address the specific challenges of developing physical products. However, there is currently no established hybrid product development process model that has been widely adopted in the industrial practice of new product development (NPD). The aim of this paper is to develop a hybrid product development process model that has a high practical suitability for the development of physical products. Our paper begins by defining the fundamental principle of agile development with regard to engineering design methodology. Subsequently, we analyse Stanford's hybrid ME310 process model's practical suitability for the development of physical products, both theoretically and empirically. Based on the process model's limitations identified in these analyses, we create a new hybrid process model called 'Systematic Engineering-Design-Thinking' (SEDT), which builds on the ME310 process model but integrates essential methods from systems engineering to improve solution space exploration.

Keywords: agile product development; hybrid product development; design thinking; systems engineering; product design; product innovation; product development process models; design theory and methodology.

DOI: 10.1504/JDR.2024.143686

Journal of Design Research, 2024 Vol.21 No.3/4, pp.210 - 261

Received: 29 Jan 2024
Accepted: 21 Oct 2024
Published online: 03 Jan 2025 *

Title: Hybrid development of physical products based on systems engineering and design thinking: towards a new process model

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