Product Platform Design and the Gate Model: Lessons From Industry Case Studies

摘要

Organizations that seek long-term success no longer depend on just one product but rather a platform of products that target key markets. Time-to-market pressures and globally distributed engineering design environments demand support through life-cycle models, particularly in the early stages of product development, for an effective product platform. Product definition and structured processes such as gate models are necessary in platform design for organizations to focus their effort on developing families of products that share common components and technology. This paper discusses conventions and research directions in different industries, describes methods in use, and explains a roadmap for product platform development. Case studies of laser printer, industrial robot, and AC motor drive controller platform development further explore challenges in platform design and the role of gate models. The paper concludes with gate model lessons and proposed work to further this research including decision analytic and system approaches.