Product development, known as new product development process comprises a set of steps that go from idea generation to post launch review, which help companies analyze the various aspects of launching new products and bringing them to market. It comprises idea generation, screening, testing; business case analysis, product development, test marketing, commercialization and post launch review.

Why product development matters

In an increasingly connected world, average product life-cycles are incredibly short. To remain competitive, businesses must continually innovate by developing new products. And yet most of them fail.  

So how do businesses maximize their chances of success? It starts by adopting a systematic and strategic product development process. The process should also have a clear understanding of consumers, competitors, and the market in which the product might be released.

The New Product Development (NPD) process is one such way that a new product idea can graduate beyond the concept stage. Here is a more detailed look at this eight-step process, which turns a market opportunity into a product that is available for sale, thus enabling a sustainable business model.

1. Idea Generation 

Every great product starts with an even better idea. Ideas can be generated from a variety of internal and external sources. Internal sources include ideas stemming from market research conducted by the Research and Development team. Much internal creativity can also be attributed to employees, with a PricewaterhouseCoopers study suggesting they are responsible for at least 45% of creative ideas.

External sources of idea generation, on the other hand, are derived from distributors and even from competitor analysis. But perhaps the most useful ideas come from the consumers themselves. Since the consumer is the sole person who will define the success or failure of the finished product, businesses must understand their needs, wants, and desires above all.

2. Idea Screening

As you might have guessed, the idea generation step will generate ideas for a lot of potential products. Unfortunately, not all will be commercially viable.

How do we sort the wheat from the chaff, as it were?

Each idea should be evaluated on its own merits according to some key constraints:

• Compatibility – is the idea compatible with the objects of the business?
• Relevance – is the idea relevant to the niche the business occupies and to the goals of the business itself?
• Assumptions – are the assumptions that the idea is based on valid? That is, is there enough scope or confidence to move past the screening step?
• Constraints – what (if any) are the internal and external impediments that would potentially prohibit the idea becoming a real product?
• Feasibility – is the idea feasible, given the resources available?
• Value – an important step that predicts an idea’s return on investment (ROI).
• Risks – similar to constraints in that internal and external risks can delay idea development.

Importantly, the screening process prevents two types of errors. The first is called a drop error – or the dismissal of a good idea. The second, a go error, involves proceeding with a bad idea.

3. Concept Testing

In this third step, an idea evolves into a tangible concept that has been refined by screening.

Another way to think about a concept is that it is a presentable idea. For example, an idea may be a new barbershop. A product concept, however, might be a barbershop that caters to middle-aged professionals who enjoy a beer or glass of whiskey while their hair is cut.

Indeed, businesses should be crystal clear on the potential target audience of the product and the value the product would provide. In other words, does the consumer understand the product or service? Do they even need or want it? Often, the best way to find out is to ask them or have them order it.

4. Business Case Analysis

By the time a business reaches this fourth step, they hopefully have a product that has been the subject of internal and external review. A business case analysis involves making sales, costs, and profit projections to determine how valuable the potential product or service is in dollar terms.

Accurate sales projections can be gleaned by considering the sales figures of direct competitors. From this data, a business can clarify how many units they must sell to break even or better still, make a profit.

Of course, there is more to new product development than profit and loss. The business case analysis must also consider the cost of developing the product itself. Research and development, manufacturing, finance, and marketing are all expenditures that must be accurately forecasted.

5. Product development

Up until this point, the potential product has existed in 2-D form on a piece of paper. Now, in the fifth step, it is time to turn the concept into three-dimensional reality.

This is achieved by the development of several prototypes – with each representing various physical versions of the product. Prototypes help businesses avoid putting all their eggs in one basket because with more iterations, there is more chance that at least one prototype will be successful.

Such prototypes will then need to be tested for safety, durability, and functionality while still living up to customer expectations. This brings us to the next step!

6. Test marketing

Test marketing is where it all starts to come together. A prototype is launched with its marketing plan to a specific pilot market segment. This allows businesses to track the effectiveness of the overall package without spending vast sums of money on a full rollout. 

Test marketing is a validating process and allows for product refinement if required. It also allows for changes to be made to the marketing strategy – whether that be in pricing, branding, positioning, or advertising.

Businesses can use a few different test markets, including:

• Standard test markets – small representative markets that are subject to a full marketing campaign. The response of the smaller market is extrapolated outward to gauge the potential success of a broader campaign.
• Control test markets – some businesses will agree to showcase new, untested products in their stores for a fee. Control test markets are generally less expensive and more efficient than the standard test market. But there is also the risk that competitors gain access to the new product before it has been commercialized.
• Simulated test markets – as the name suggests, businesses simulate a shopping environment and analyze consumer behavior around the new product. Simulated test markets have the benefit of incorporating customer interviews for deeper research around buying preferences.

7. Commercialization

Commercialization is the process that consumers are undoubtedly most familiar with. The new products are being mass-produced and distributed widely. But behind the scenes, businesses must decide when to launch a product and where it will be launched.

Early in the commercialization process, there may also be teething problems. It is important to monitor supply chain logistics and ensure that product shelves do not become bare. Marketing departments must also develop advertising campaigns that keep their new products top-of-mind with consumers who are ready to buy. Primarily, this can be achieved by sales promotions or introductory pricing.

8. Post Launch Review

Once the product is well established in the market, it is important to plan ahead. Businesses should develop long-term marketing plans and ensure that competent sales and distribution teams are in place to cater for demand.

Prices should also be reviewed regularly, particularly after the expiration of introductory promotions. As customers are introduced to the product, the marketing team must endeavor to turn them into brand evangelists. The business must also balance these customer retention strategies with profits and staying one step ahead of the competition.

Each NPD process should always be reviewed, irrespective of whether the product was a success. This enables mistakes to be addressed and then corrected for next time, increasing the success rate and improving productivity.

Key takeaways 

The New Product Development process is certainly high risk, but the rewards of a successful product campaign can be similarly immense.

However, businesses that fail to bring new products to the market can also learn from their mistakes, emerging stronger as a result.

In both cases, the NPD process represents a formalized, repeatable process that allows businesses the best chance of creating one of the 5% of products that gain commercial success and build a viable business model.

Read next:

• Types of Business Models You Need to Know
• Business Strategy: Definition, Examples, And Case Studies
• What Is Market Segmentation? the Ultimate Guide to Market Segmentation
• Marketing Strategy: Definition, Types, And Examples
• Marketing vs. Sales: How to Use Sales Processes to Grow Your Business
• How To Write A Mission Statement
• What is Growth Hacking?

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