Integrated product development

Integrated product development (IPE) is a modern approach to design .

Features and demarcation

In contrast to other construction methodologies, this approach consistently considers the entire product life cycle (life cycle orientation). This means that the interaction between product and process must be considered more intensively. This means that the product developer must have internalized a holistic way of thinking, through which he is not only fixated on the product to be created, but also pays attention to the processes that are necessary for its creation, maintenance and destruction. The aim is to create the best possible product and at the same time to guarantee the best possible production, use and disposal.

Supportive measures

In order to tap additional rationalization potential, the integrated product development usually goes hand in hand with further measures. Since the traditional , purely function- oriented and hierarchical way of thinking and working stands in the way of a holistic way of working and thinking, the department organization and the work environment should be changed in such a way that interdisciplinary and cooperative work is possible. The consistent application of a methodical approach also contributes to the improvement of the work results . An example of this is the inventive problem solving method . In order to streamline the time frame of the product development cycle, attempts are often made to parallelize processes and procedures. So z. B. can already be started with the work preparation during the later phases of the construction . The use of high-performance information technology tools to support the design process is almost a matter of course today.

literature

• Klaus Ehrlenspiel, Harald Meerkamm: Integrated product development - thought processes, use of methods, cooperation . 6th revised and expanded edition, Hanser, Munich 2017, ISBN 978-3-446-44089-0 .