| Good design, efficient product development, and short lead times are inseparable key elements for ensuring the profitability of organisations. This series of workshops is a showcase for some of the newest tools and techniques for initiating and managing product development activity, born of good practice and practical implementation. We will illustrate how the tools and techniques developed to improve product development activity actually work, and explain why they are so important to the success of any company. | |
The workshops are based on recent experiences of working with three major UK manufacturing and retailing companies. Our case studies illustrate significant financial benefits, increased market volumes and enhanced customer/supplier relationships.
Product Development issues addressed:
| The workshops aim to equip companies with tools and techniques that can improve their competitiveness by improving both business and product development processes. Practical activities are a prominent part of the programme. Most of the changes recommended are not capital intensive. They are designed to lay the foundations for improving competitive performance. |  |
Target audience
These workshops will be of benefit to manufacturers, retailers and suppliers from all tiers of the supply chain. They are aimed at design related and supplier-facing personnel. The events we have run over the past 18 months for our industrial collaborators have been aimed at both senior and middle management, and involving a range of functions, e.g. design, manufacturing, purchasing, marketing and sales. Attendees will have the opportunity to use and evaluate the tools presented and will be able to take away a practical template for developing new business processes, designed to offer real commercial advantages to the participating companies.
Workshop leaders
The E-Co Challenge project was initiated in 1997 and supported by DTI funding. It has identified sector-related tools and techniques that can help to improve business practices and product development activity. Measurable benefits of adopting this approach are already in evidence in other sectors. These workshops are offered by product development and business process specialists from Manchester Metropolitan University and Cranfield University.
If you would like to discuss running workshops in your company, please contact:
Dr David Tyler, Dept. Clothing, Design & Technology,
Manchester Metropolitan University
Tel: 0161 247 2636
Email: D.Tyler@mmu.ac.uk
Dr Jo Heeley and Dr
Tracy Bhamra.
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