From a simple concept to launch, a product goes through many tests to assure its viability in the market. Even then, around 95% of new consumer products fail.
Product launch doesn’t guarantee
success. That’s why manufacturers have to pay close attention to the
developmental phase. Before any product goes on the shelves, you have to test
it as many times as needed.
Extensive research and testing are
the keys to success. Rapid prototyping helps you with these. Keep on reading to
learn the benefits of incorporating it into your process.
Faster
Product Development
One of the best advantages of rapid
prototyping is in its name. It allows for faster product development. As such,
you to get your merchandise into the market sooner.
The manufacturing process includes
the production of several prototypes. The whole product development lifecycle
requires different types, such as low-fidelity and high-fidelity.
The fidelity types categorize
prototypes by the degree of accuracy. A low-fidelity prototype is a simple
mock-up made for testing the broader concept. A high-fidelity one appears and
functions closer to the end product.
Engineers can also categorize
prototypes based on the current product development stage. They fit into
all primary stages of the design process, which are as follows:
- Product planning
- Conceptual design
- Embodiment design
- Detailed design
You can use rapid prototyping at any
stage and for whatever purpose. It lets you turn your concept into a test
subject faster. As a result, it speeds up the whole product development
process.
Some parts of the process can’t move
on until after a new prototype arrives. You can’t find faults without seeing
the concept in physical form. Only after you review a prototype can you approve
or fix your product.
Lower
Development Costs
Faster development doesn’t come with
higher costs with rapid prototyping. In the manufacturing industry,
your expenses are lower the sooner you get your product out the door.
Any time-saving measures, especially
in the early development stage, can help your bottom line. Testing, designing,
and fixing issues go more smoothly when you get prototypes ASAP.
Rapid prototyping also minimizes the
development costs of iterations because design teams don’t need as many
prototypes for assessment. They can perform tests without high financial risks.
It also helps you save on costs
after the product launch. Did you know fixing an issue
after a release is about four to five times more expensive
than discovering it during the product development phase?
The sooner you discover a flaw, the
less it will cost you to fix it. Rapid prototyping is best for extensive
testing. You get to assess a product all you want before launch.
Exploring
New Concepts
Do you want to test a new concept or
idea? Rapid prototyping allows you to explore anything you create.
Many great ideas are a
spur-of-the-moment thing. Others come after hours of deliberation. Either way,
you want to be able to act on that concept ASAP to test its viability.
You can also act quickly based on
internal or customer feedback. Do you want to see if it’s a good idea or not?
Go with rapid prototyping, and you’ll get your answer soon.
Even if the idea isn’t successful,
the money spent on rapid prototypes isn’t a waste. It served its purpose – to
provide you with answers. You’ll also gain more insight into what works and
what doesn’t.
Increased
Risk Mitigation
Product failure is a real risk even
after you’ve successfully launched it. One of the only ways to avoid it is
with a thorough evaluation of the design.
Fixing an issue after release isn’t
only expensive, but it damages your brand’s reputation, as well. You have to
recall the goods and hire a product destruction company.
You may face a community backlash.
Worse, you might even have to deal with lawsuits. To avoid these risks, you
have to spot the design flaws and find remedies before they get into the
consumer’s hands.
A launch is only successful if
you’ve validated all the risks in all steps of the product development cycle.
Rapid prototyping helps you with mitigation by allowing you to analyze at any
stage.
Some manufacturers often overlook
the prototyping processes because they take so long. As a result, their teams
can’t test the product as much as they want. This misstep leads to higher risks
of product failure, which is why you might wonder why certain products are on
the shelf.
Rapid prototyping solves these
problems for the manufacturer. It allows a detailed physical analysis, which
helps you reduce the risks of expensive and critical errors. Your team can quickly
make any modification needed before it damages your brand.
Market
Validation
What does the market say about your
product? You’ll know sooner if you can send out prototypes more often.
Rapid prototyping allows you to
include your market in the product development cycle. The intended users
can test these and provide invaluable feedback.
Before you order full-scale
manufacturing, you can test how well your market receives the product. You
can determine its viability and effectiveness. You may also gain insight
to help you get ahead of your competitors.
If you want to test a new feature of
an existing product, building a prototype is the best way to go about it. You
can assess the way your users interact with it. It also can identify any issues
before you make it official.
You can also use rapid prototyping
to involve your stakeholders. With it, you can turn a concept into something
tangible, something you can show to the higher-ups.
It encourages communication, and
they can provide feedback, as well. It’s a way to assure them of their
investment in your product, as well.
Incorporate
Rapid Prototyping in Your Processes
Rapid prototyping fits in all types
of manufacturing processes. If you want to enjoy the benefits above, assess how
you can use them for product development.
However, it may not fit your
business needs. Make sure to review it more thoroughly before you make the
jump.
Did you find this guide helpful? For more tips, check out our other posts today.
