Building the Right Product Introduction

The following table describes the inputs and outputs of the Concept Selection Process

Inputs	Key Activities	Outputs
Seminal Idea Clear statement of the basic target function VOC – The Customer Requirements The expression of the effect that a customer would like to have on his life/environment to best perform his desired tasks VOB – Business Requirements The Needs of the business	VOC Development Building the user need statements Feature Deployment Using the user needs to develop the features (columns of the QFD) QFD Identifying the Critical to Quality Features (CTQs) Pugh Matrix and Super Concepts The generation of the overall concept and adjustment of the CTQs (Critical to Qualify) Early Concept Confirmation The initial confirmation of the concept with the users	System Concept Definition The concept for the System System Requirements The system requirements define the concept at a detailed level

The inputs start with the Seminal Idea, a clear statement of the basic target function for the device.  Here are some examples

To deliver affordable treatment for sudden cardiac arrest

To simplify the process of monitoring, controlling, and delivering insulin for type 2 diabetes treatment

Voice of the Customer (VOC) establishes the customer desires and Voice of the Business (VOB) establishes the business desires.  Correctly defined, VOC and VOB provide the guidance for all subsequent concept selection efforts.

Activities include translating the input from the user into meaningful user need statements, the structured workflow for selecting a concept (QFD, Pugh Matrix and Super Concepts) and finally, the confirmation that the concept meets the user needs.

Finally, System Concept Definition captures the final concept at a high level, while the System Requirements specify the detailed requirements of the concept. These requirements become the critical inputs to the next step, “Building the Product Right”.