Knowledge exchange between master and PhD students with regard to evolutionary product development
Year: 2011
Editor: Kovacevic, Ahmed, Ion, William, McMahon, Chris, Buck, Lyndon and Hogarth, Peter
Author: Eger, Arthur; Wendrich, Robert
Series: E&PDE
Section: Pedagogy
Page(s): 233-238
Abstract
Knowledge exchange between master and PhD students with regard to evolutionary product development
In this paper the exchange of knowledge between PhD- and master-students with regard to the theory of Evolutionary Product Development is presented. At the University of Twente this theory, based on six product phases, is shortly introduced in the bachelor programme. In the master programme there is a course where master students learn to work with the model. At this moment five PhD students work on improving the theory. The paper describes how the master and PhD students work together and exchange information to learn how to use the model and to further improve the model. The theory of product phases, first published in 1987, was formulated in a PhD thesis in 2007. Generally speaking, the emphasis in the first product phase – performance – is on new technologies. In the second phase – optimisation – new knowledge is required. The market no longer accepts imperfections and other disciplines become important. Product development is aimed at improving performance, better reliability, improvement of ergonomics and safety. In the third phase – itemisation - high quality and safety no longer suffice. Extra features, including special editions of the product for different trade channels and target groups, and styling become important success factors. The last three phases – segmentation, individualisation and awareness – co-exist. Product development is either aimed at the extra features and accessories, including special editions, or at mass customisation or co-creation, thus allowing the customer to influence the final result (individualisation). The social behaviour of the company or organisation behind the product is becoming more and more important to the customer (awareness).
Keywords: Evolutionary product development, design methodology, bachelor/master and PhD education