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A product design specification outlines the necessary elements of a project, including physical and functional details. A team of individuals from various departments typically contributes to the specification, which focuses on functionality and appearance. The example of a kitchen cabinet display is used to illustrate these considerations.
A product design specification is a collection of statements detailing the required elements of a project to be designed. This can include physical details, such as size, weight or color, but it can also include functional details, such as the tasks a product must be able to perform or the needs it must satisfy. These specifications are a critical preliminary step in the product development process.
Often, some people contribute to a product design specification. Common specification development team members include individuals from project management, procurement, engineering, graphic design, and manufacturing. In some cases, members of information technology, operations, security and shipping departments may also be involved. If the product is being developed for a customer, members of that customer’s team, possibly from sales, marketing and customer service departments, may also participate.
When developing a product design specification, the team is usually concerned with two main issues: functionality and appearance. When considering functionality, the team should compile a detailed list of what the product should do. For example, if a client requests a new showroom display to help sell kitchen cabinets, the team will need to know what decisions the consumer will need to make when choosing cabinetry. This could include selecting a door style, hardware style, finish, and other options such as full drawer slides and trim pieces. The specification should include a list of such decisions so that designers can find a way to address them.
Consideration of functionality also includes usability in a real-life situation. In the cabinet example, the product design specification team would need to know the details about the environment where the display will be located. In particular, they will need to know the maximum allowable size of the drive. They also need to consider the average height of the buyer, so as not to design functional items that the average buyer can’t easily see or reach. They also need to consider where completed displays will be stored, how they will be shipped to individual showrooms, and who will assemble them, as these factors determine how displays are designed.
Appearance is the other major part of a product design specification. This can include graphics, such as any logos or lifestyle photos that should be incorporated. The budget of the product typically is also a factor, as it will determine what types of materials can be used. Appearance can also include the overall feel of the piece.
Continuing with the kitchen cabinet display example, the team will consider the price of the product. If the cabinets themselves are priced on the low-end, the display shouldn’t look high-end or customers will feel the product isn’t for them. If the cabinets are high-end, the display must be too, or customers will feel like the product isn’t valuable.
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