Title: Technology-driven product platform development

Authors: Kiran Khadke, John K. Gershenson

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Life-cycle Engineering Laboratory, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan 49931, USA. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Life-cycle Engineering Laboratory, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan 49931, USA

Abstract: In designing product platforms it is essential to consider the role of technology and its evolution to avoid frequent redesign costs or even premature obsolescence of key components. The Technology-driven Platform Development Method (TPDM) enhances existing platform design methods by identifying underlying technologies and the potential for change in their intrinsic characteristics – performance level, principle of operation, and technology architecture. A set of four heuristics is applied to determine the technology-driven platform elements. Application of the TPDM to the iPod portable music players showed that existing platform elements would require additional platforming and interface design to form a technology-driven platform.

Keywords: product platforms; technology change; design methodology; technology-driven platforms; product design; product development; interface design; iPods; portable music players.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2008.020400

International Journal of Product Development, 2008 Vol.6 No.3/4, pp.353 - 374

Published online: 21 Sep 2008 *

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