Digital produktutveckling : Stage gate, S:t Eriks
- Authors
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2015
- Source
- DiVA - Academic Archive On-line
- Keywords
- Language
- Swedish
- License
- Green
- External links
Abstract
This thesis revolves around product development in a medium-sized Swedish company. The company in question is called S:t Erik and manufactures a wide range of products made out of concrete and operates in several locations in Sweden. The study has been carried out during 20 weeks with a starting point in January, year 2015. The goal of the study is to deliver a directly implementable development process that support the company's vision and aim towards a more reliable and resource-saving product development process. The study has been conducted through interviews with people directly involved in the product development process. In addition to the interviews, an observational study carried out in the company's production unit in Uppsala and a benchmarking at S:t Eriks plant in Staffanstorp. Which though co-examination with theory revolving the Stage gate process formed the basis for the developed proposals for improvement. To achieve a more accurate product development S:t Erik is recommended to work with its product development on a project basis with clear guidance in the form of a dedicated project manager in combination with a standardized development procedure. Through a proposed model including the work guidelines and though structured development phases S:t Eriks is presented with the opportunity to drastically decrease the risk involved with the company’s product development. The result also includes a proposal to carry out the proposed working model through the online feature in Word, in response to discovered problems revolving communication, access to information and transfer of knowledge. To ensure that S:t Erik is able to interpret and meet the expressed customer need, and at the same time simplify the internal communication they are recommended to incorporate a 3D printer in the early stages of the product development. For additional ways to meet customer needs a concept collection folder available for quick and easy collection of ideas and suggestions online or alternatively on the company intranet is suggested. Finally a procedure for how the working model could be used in practise is presented in an effort to archive a successful implementation at S:t Eriks.