...all roads meet at the product
idea-to-product-to-market...
innovationhighway.com
The product is at the center of success. All roads meet here. Functionally,
it's gotta' work. In the marketplace, it's gotta' sell. And as an investment,
costs must be low: it's gotta' make money. Everybody wins: the Customer,
the Supplier, and all those in between. New products create growth. And
independent product developers have unique opportunities. Free of what
"can't be done", new product ideas have few bounds. Inventors have the
advantage of creating breakthrough products. And industry can match
those products to the best market opportunities. More corporate players
are adding "open innovation" (OI) to their playbook.
A "working" prototype is an operating mock-up, approximating the finished design as closely as
possible. Such prototypes are valuable to gauge direct user interest as early as possible. This
might also be called a "working model" or "beta testing" depending upon the industry. Intense
market feedback, throughout the process, assures the best "market-match" possible.
Sooner or later, the design is finalized, the supply chain is defined, specifications and
drawings are completed, the tooling is put in place, and production can begin.
Proof-of-Concept
Prototypes come in a variety of flavors. A "works-like" prototype demonstrates the physical
viability. Does the concept make sense? Reliability? Expected range of performance? This
is often called an engineering prototype. Several may be built, depending upon complexity.
A "looks-like" prototype provides a marketing view. Non-functional in nature, this can start
with an artist's rendering, with "rapid prototyping" (ie, stereo lithography or 3d printing), to
provide photos and sell sheets for early market feedback.
