Phase Breakdown Schedule

This "Phase Breakdown Schedule" is a detailed step-by-step approach to our design and development process. This schedule will give you an idea into how and what is involved and what it takes to execute a "successful" Product Development Program (PDP). Phase One is our initial free consultation. Here we review your ideas, goals and objectives. It is in this initial consultation where we advise our clients as to the best approach in going forward. Phases Two through Nine are broken down and give detailed descriptions of each phase’s procedures. Each is a formal IDSA (Industrial Design Society of America) contractual agreement. All of these phases can be combined into an overall contract or kept separate as desired.

Please note that not all the phases and/or their subcategories are included in every design project. A Product Development Program (PDP) is custom developed for each client and is tailored around that client’s goals and objectives.

Phase One - Initial Client Consultation

Review overall product idea and history
Review product feasibility
Establish client goals, requirements and objectives
Review any existing patents/trademarks
Review financial budget planning
Establish the Phase Breakdown Schedule

Phase Two – Product Analysis

Complete concept evaluation
Define product usage
Conduct ergonomic studies
Conduct theoretical concept testing
Examine and analyze market trends
Complete in-depth internet review
Conduct preliminary review of design criteria
Conduct potential patenting feasibility study
Conduct preliminary patent search (USPTO)
Establish design/development costs
Establish preliminary prototyping costs
Outline the Product Development Program (PDP)

Phase Three - Product Design

Set design criteria
Analyze and establish user base
Evaluate product life expectancy
Establish form, color and texture requirements
Evaluate and establish material selection and use
Establish secondary parts and assembly requirements
Outline mechanical and electrical development needs
Establish manufacturing processes
Initiate packaging design
Initiate instruction and/or specifications sheet(s)
Initiate structural analysis report
Initiate study models and/or rapid prototyping

Phase Four – Intellectual Property & Patenting

Establish type of patent protection needed
Complete in-depth patent search
Submit "Design and/or Utility" patent filing applications
Review international patent options
Review Trademark and Copyright options

Phase Five - Prototyping

Set prototyping criteria and required goals
Obtain firm cost and completion dates
Obtain secondary part(s) pricing and lead times
Outline prototype packaging design
Check ergonomic fit, color, texture and assembly
Complete fully functional proof of concept prototype

Phase Six - Testing and Approvals

Establish testing criteria and reports
Obtain cost and completion dates
Check required governmental agency approvals
Check licensing requirements

Phase Seven - Manufacturing

Establish ideal manufacturing demographics (region and country)
Identify and evaluate potential OEM sources
Obtain OEM costs and lead times
Obtain secondary parts, processes, assemblies, costs and lead-time
Obtain pre-production sample parts for client approvals
Initiate quality control and inspection requirements
Establish delivery, costs, taxes, insurances, duties, lead times and scheduling
Establish final storage location and costs

Phase Eight - Marketing

Obtain marketing budget
Establish comprehensive market plan
Establish marketing strategies, goals and contingencies
Evaluate endorsements and/or sponsorship possibilities
Establish initial marketing regions and demographics
Evaluate venture capital investments and/or royalty options

Phase Nine - Quality and Inventory Control

Check quality of part(s) and assembly
Evaluate fulfillment house feasibility and/or product storage options
Establish final quality control requirements
Establish freight forwarders, logistics costs and lead times
Monitor product inventory and distribution