Companies are challenged to improve their product development process (PDP), also referred to as design process. PDP is considered an important business process for determining the competitive advantage. It deals with the innovation challenge, rapid change of demand, shorter product life cycle and higher quality product. In this sense, Business Process Management (BPM) is a structured approach that helps companies to improve their fundamental processes, e.g. PDP. It encompasses the strategic alignment as one of the most important issues for defining changes in business. The improvement projects are one of the links between the strategic and operational level. However, the literature is sparse in systemic and structured overview to guide practitioners in identifying and selecting improvements projects on PDP. Beyond that, the focus of them is normally for overcoming the processes deficiencies related to an existing situation. It is not consider the desired future situation according to strategic options. So, the research aim
s to propose a well-composed method and a tool for defining and selecting PDP improvement projects. It encompasses the best practices for improvement projects proposition and process capability for guiding the selection stage in a broader scope. The novelty of this proposal is the emphasis on process strategic objectives. In addition, it involves the practical perspective encompassing the practitioner’s point of view.
This ongoing project is being conducted by Sânia Fernandes.