Project | Paderborn University

Overview

Engineering activities focused on the development of technical solutions to meet human needs in private and social contexts are facing growing challenges. The rapid development of technologies in areas such as mechanics, electronics and information technology has increased the complexity of this process while opening up broader approaches to solutions. In this context, the creative and analytical abilities of humans play a central role, both in the conception of new solutions and in the planning and design of the development process. In addition, the expansion of the concept of product to bundles of technical solutions together with associated services and business models leads to a further increase in complexity. This development task is further complicated by the increasing volatility of the environment due to factors such as emerging technologies, social changes, globalized market and competition, new business models, and changing regulatory frameworks.

Objective

The research project "Future Robust Product Development" has the overarching goal of developing a solution to the aforementioned challenges. The focus here is on the seamless integration of strategic product planning with product development. In particular, this should enable product programs to be planned and implemented effectively across multiple product generations. The core concept for achieving this goal is the integration of the product generation evolution (PGE) model into strategic product planning. By identifying the interrelationships between these two areas, creating a common ontology for communication, linking strategic product planning methods to the PGE model, and developing normative strategies based on planning patterns, the project aims to provide sound guidance for long-term and short-term development planning.

The long-term result of the project is to establish a comprehensive systematics for future-robust product development. This systematics is intended to support companies in reacting flexibly to unpredictable environmental changes by creating the basis for continuous and sustainable product development. In addition, the model developed and the knowledge base gained are expected to provide impetus for further research in product development, particularly in the development of hybrid performance bundles comprising mechatronic products, services and business models.