The product development process 97 predictions of project costs and financial outcome his is total technology research incorporating product, processing and market research with consumer and society studies. At this early stage, the knowledge may be generalised, and the aim is to make it greater in breadth and depth through the later stages of the project. This stage sets the direction for the product development project, and has been identified in much research as most important to the final success of the project 3.1.1 Defining the project The aim, outcomes and the constraints have been identified in the product development programme and presented to the product development team or <anager for the project. But there is usually a need for further desk research by he team to determine the accuracy of the aim, outcomes and constraints and also to 'flesh them outto give a more detailed project definition that can drive and control the project(Rosenau, 2000). This is also the time to select a suitable PD Process for the project and to set out an outline project plan There are four aspects of the initial research to define the project by developing nore detailed aims: product ideas, consumers, technology and market as shown in Fig. 3. 1. The research includes all aspects of the PD Process. At the same time the team is developing new product ideas, and relating them to the market possibility, to the technology possibility and to the product possibility. what are the products? Can they be made? Can they be sold? Who wants them? What do they need? These are the types of questions being discussed by the team and it is an important time for team interaction. This is only desk research'-using information in the company, outside records, published textbooks and papers, which are easily available. There is a maximum use of tacit knowledge within the group and within the company. Information technology has improved the storage and use of knowledge in product development, in particular the use of product models with a framework of raw materials, ingredients, packaging and production methods (onsdottir et al, 1998) hink break In a project, the aim was changed from Export a nutritional product to Thailand with a market size of $5 million Export a protein product, minimum 20% protein, to the Thai middle class, urban market, marketed through gyms and supermarkets; processed in the spray dry ing plant or the UHT plant and distributed at ambient temperatures. It must have sales greater than $4 million• planning of the project; • predictions of project costs and financial outcomes. This is total technology research incorporating product, processing and market research with consumer and society studies. At this early stage, the knowledge may be generalised, and the aim is to make it greater in breadth and depth through the later stages of the project. This stage sets the direction for the product development project, and has been identified in much research as most important to the final success of the project. 3.1.1 Defining the project The aim, outcomes and the constraints have been identified in the product development programme and presented to the product development team or manager for the project. But there is usually a need for further desk research by the team to determine the accuracy of the aim, outcomes and constraints and also to ‘flesh them out’ to give a more detailed project definition that can drive and control the project (Rosenau, 2000). This is also the time to select a suitable PD Process for the project and to set out an outline project plan. There are four aspects of the initial research to define the project by developing more detailed aims: product ideas, consumers, technology and market as shown in Fig. 3.1. The research includes all aspects of the PD Process. At the same time the team is developing new product ideas, and relating them to the market possibility, to the technology possibility and to the product possibility. What are the products? Can they be made? Can they be sold? Who wants them? What do they need? These are the types of questions being discussed by the team and it is an important time for team interaction. This is only ‘desk research’ – using information in the company, outside records, published textbooks and papers, which are easily available. There is a maximum use of tacit knowledge within the group and within the company. Information technology has improved the storage and use of knowledge in product development, in particular the use of product models with a framework of raw materials, ingredients, packaging and production methods (Jonsdottir et al., 1998). Think break In a project, the aim was changed from: Export a nutritional product to Thailand with a market size of $5 million. to: Export a protein product, minimum 20% protein, to the Thai middle class, urban market, marketed through gyms and supermarkets; processed in the spray dry￾ing plant or the UHT plant and distributed at ambient temperatures. It must have sales greater than $4 million. The product development process 97