Abstract
This study established an integrated Concurrent Design Review Platform (CDRP) which supports life cycle production introduction and simultaneous cross-functional reviews through an integrated Design For eXcellence (DFX) framework using notebook computer industry as an example. New product introduction (NPI) processes used by three major notebook computer manufacturers were benchmarked and an improved reference model for NPI was proposed. The proposed NPI process reference model and the concerned functions/viewpoints were used as the longitude and latitude to form the review matrix for CDRP. The review relationships among the various functions throughout the NPI stages were established. The platform provides simultaneous reviews by multiple functional departments and viewpoints, such as sales/marketing, manufacturing, R&D, procurement, cost, quality and so on throughout the stages in the life cycle of production introduction, usage, and logistics supports. The contributions of this study include: (1)Proposing an improved NPI process reference model which corrected exist problems in New Product Introduction processes due to inefficiency in simultaneous multiple DFX reviews. (2)Establishing a life cycle process-based review platform which works under the internet environment and supports concurrent cross-functional, cross-viewpoint reviews over various locations.