Modified on
03 Feb 2025 06:52 pm
Skill-Lync
In the world of product design and development, not every product follows the same product development process. A rigid, one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn't work. Instead, the product design process must adapt based on the type of product, its intended market, and technological advancements.
Through extensive research by organizations and scholars, products have been broadly classified into eight different categories. While this classification isn't fixed—it can be expanded or modified—it serves as a helpful framework for understanding the product development strategies that drive innovation.
1. Generic Products
Look around you—your phone, a pillow, a jug, or even a cart. These are generic products—items that people have used for a long time and whose fundamental design has remained relatively unchanged. A drinking glass, for example, remains essential, regardless of slight variations in shape or material.
Generic products are market-driven—if consumers need them, companies manufacture them. Once a market opportunity is identified, product development engineers determine the best product design methods and technologies to produce them efficiently.
2. Technology-Push Products
This category is fueled by technological advancements. Sometimes, a product is created simply because a new technology emerges and gains popularity. Take smartwatches with fitness tracking features—a decade ago, they were almost unheard of, but today, they are highly sought after.
In this case, the driving factor is not market demand but emerging technology. Once a promising technology is identified, businesses assess its market potential before investing in production.
3. Platform Products
Companies with an established product development framework often introduce platform products—upgraded versions of their existing products. For example, the Butterfly brand of kitchen appliances has long been known for manufacturing gas stoves. Over time, they’ve evolved their product range:
Here, the product design principles revolve around leveraging existing strengths while innovating within the brand’s product line.
4. Process-Intensive Products
This category mainly applies to industries like food processing. Unlike other products, food items have a limited shelf life, and their product development techniques must be carefully structured.
For example, milk typically expires within a few days unless preservatives are added. However, some manufacturers now produce milk with a 90-day shelf life, achieved through carefully controlled processing techniques. In this case, the product development process revolves around designing and optimizing manufacturing techniques.
5. Customized Products
Customization has become a major trend, particularly in the automobile industry. In some countries, customers can personalize their cars and trucks, choosing specific features while keeping the base model intact.
This type of product design innovation allows businesses to cater to individual customer preferences. However, companies must carefully analyze whether customization is viable in their target market before investing in it.
Final Thoughts
Each product category follows a different product development process, and businesses must tailor their product design strategies accordingly. Whether you’re a beginner in product design training or exploring advanced concepts through a product development certification, understanding these categories will give you a solid foundation.
Stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll explore more product development fundamentals and real-world product design examples!
This blog is part of our ongoing Introduction to Product Design and Development blog series. If you missed the previous posts, check them out here.
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Uma Maheswari K
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