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THE SPARTA PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Whether you need us to handle your entire product development project or just need advice or a helping hand with part of the process, we have you covered. From developing your product requirements, concepting, detailed product design and manufacturing data documentation, all the way through to getting set up with full scale production, here is the basic process we follow at Sparta Design Works.
PROTECTING YOUR IDEA
Before you tell us about your great idea you will want to protect it by having us sign a non-disclosure agreement which in effect swears us to secrecy. It also gives you a legal footing and holds us responsible with your information.
Whilst it is better to have a patent in place before sharing your idea with anyone; patents are very costly and you need to have a certain amount of product development in place to generate a patent that will be worth anything. So the first step in your case is having a trusted partner like ourselves help you get to that point.
UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM OR
NEED
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All products have one thing in common; they solve a problem or fulfill a need. Without this why would anyone want or need them.
So in order to design the best product, we start by making sure we understand exactly what the product needs to do.
UNDERSTANDING THE MARKET
New and novel ideas are hard to come by these days and it's important to understand the market you are up against. Does a similar product exist or is there a totally different product that fulfills the same need? If products already exist will your idea add value or be better? How about patents that are not yet on the market?
These are all questions you need to answer before you decide to commit to a new product development.
DEVELOPING SOME CONCEPTS
We have all been there; we get an idea and we want to run with it, but soon enough we realize that there are other, maybe better ways to do it.
Being able to develop the best product for the defined problem or need means you need to take a step back and look at all the ways you can solve the problem or fulfill the need. That then allows you to do a comparative analysis and choose the most fitting solution to carry forward.
You don't want to realize there is a better solution when you are about to launch now do you?
CHOOSING AND REFININGÂ THE BEST OPTIONS
The real work begins when you start to put detail to the best chosen concepts. Understanding materials, size, spacial constraints, durability, function, motion, etc, all need to be fully thought through so you know that once you choose a final concept to move ahead with, it will work.
At Sparta Design Works we get to work modelling your concepts in 3-dimensional space so we can understand it from an engineering point of view. Not just shape, size and a cost analysis for manufacture, but all the little details that us technical gurus take for granted. This aims to make your product the best it can be.
CHOOSING A FINAL CONCEPT
This is another critical part of the process and one that can make or break a project from both a timing and financial point of view. Too often design teams rush the decision to choose a final concept and want to change it further along the process, causing major time delays and wasting many hours of very expensive engineering resources and prototype fees.
Here at Sparta Design Works we don't move through this phase until we are absolutely sure we have analysed every aspect of the concepts and ensure our customers understand the consequences of wanting to change concepts further down the line. This part of the product development process may involve building prototypes to prove the final concept choice.
DETAILED DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURE
Now that we have a concept we get to work putting all the details into the product's design. Without a proper set of manufacturing data, most suppliers won't even meet with you again after your first potentially embarrassing meeting. If you want them to take you seriously you need a full set of data including 2D drawings, 3D CAD models, material specifications, aesthetic preferences, prescribed manufacturing methods and a whole lot more.
Here at Sparta Design Works this is where we start to really excel as we not only have a wealth of knowledge, but make sure that everything we design is "designed for manufacture".
APPROACHING THE MANUFACTURERS
The way you first approach potential manufacturers is of critical importance when it comes to maximizing your options and reducing your manufacturing costs. Scare off the good ones and you miss the best opportunities.
Just like you expect from them, manufacturers want to know that you are in it for the long haul and that you know what you are doing so that they can benefit from a long term supply contract.
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So that first meeting is critical and making a good first impression will certainly be worth your weight in gold later when it comes to finding the best fit for your product. We have a wealth of experience with supplier interaction and development you can lean on here at Sparta Design Works.
REFINING QUOTES AND UNDERSTANDING PROMISES
Unfortunately no two suppliers will interpret your requirements in the same way and therefore it is critical to interpret what the supplier is actually quoting and ensure that what you asked for is what they are promising; so that you can not only minimize production costs, but also minimize mistakes and project delays.
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You also need to be able to identify a good supplier from a bad one, especially with the high costs of setting up production. Low production costs are just one of the factors used when choosing a supplier. Quality, customer service, company health, capability, capacity for high volume production, experience, etc all play an important role. Here at Sparta Design Works we will lead you through this process and develop your suppliers for you.
SIGNING CONTRACTS AND SECURING PRODUCTION
Your business is only as secure as your ability to supply products to your customers. And when it comes to that you are almost entirely dependent on your suppliers. Understanding how to protect yourself from a failed supply chain is an important aspect you should not overlook.
PRODUCTION LINE DEVELOPMENT
Setting up a production line for your product is usually a joint effort between the supplier and the engineer or product designer who developed the product. There are often numerous aspects and production changes that are required to refine the production process and there will most certainly be production issues that will need to be addressed.
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Sparta Design Works will work closely with your suppliers to ensure conformity of production as well as quality and robust production tooling and techniques. We also ensure the entire project is managed and co-ordinated between suppliers to maximize all efforts. We place a strong emphasis on developing suppliers so that production problems as well as quality and material rejects are minimized. Proper project management is critical to innovation.
PRODUCT TESTING AND ENGINEERING SIGN-OFF
A product in the virtual world and a product in the real world are two very different things. Whilst well trained engineers and very advanced computer software are capable of designing very robust products, nothing can replace real world testing to ensure your products are not only fit for purpose, but are also safe for your customers and will minimize product failures and refunds or product warranty replacements.
Sparta Design Works will guide you in product testing requirements and assist you with setting up product testing with the right people if required.
SUPPORTING YOU AS YOU GROW
THE JOURNEY HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN
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Production starts and so your journey has only just begun. Now you enter the world of marketing and sales; but our partnership with you is far from over. In the ideal world a product starts its manufacture and you never have any problems or want to make any improvements, but we know that products like that are few and far between.
Sparta Design Works will continue to support you as you grow whether it is product improvement, production optimization or even a whole new product you need help with.
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That brings us to the end of our process and we hope you have enjoyed the introduction?
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If you did, please give us a call or fill in the form below and we will set up a time to meet with you to see how best we can bring your new idea to life before someone else beats you to it. Timing is everything in product design.
Get in Touch
Sparta Design Works
Level 2, Flinders at Tonsley
1284 South Rd
Clovelly Park, 5042, SA
Australia
Call us on: +61 475 210 122