The benefits of an enhanced design methodology applied to innovative product development

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to model an enhanced design methodology applied to the conception of an innovative product in a SME environment. This approach includes C-K theory in a context of disruptive innovation. In general, the industrial design process consists of four major steps: the egodesign phase where the designer conceptualizes a user need, a techno-design phase where designer and engineer find solutions to materialize the concept, a -design phase where social actors involved authorize it and then the ergodesign phase where the user adopts the final product. A methodological reflection leads to the modelling of the innovative enhanced design reasoning (where major actors are replaced by a bunch of various stakeholders). The specific SME’s case was successful. Using the model, the enhanced design project management was efficient. But some more complex application cases would help secure it.