scholarly journals 266 Fuzzy front-end studies: current state and future directions for new product development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongmyung Park ◽  
Ji Han ◽  
Peter R. N. Childs
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
New Product Development ◽  
Process Parameters ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
New Product ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Fuzzy Front End ◽  
Front End ◽  
Performance Structure

Abstract266 fuzzy front-end (FFE) studies in the new product development (NPD) sector were examined. The studies were selected using a bibliometrics method, and chronologically and statistically examined with ten criteria divided into two dimensions. The first dimension is associated with overall attributes of the FFE, consisting of six criteria: the study taxonomy, model type, NPD speed, NPD attributes, model characteristic, and model structure. The second dimension is relevant to the FFE performance structure related to process parameters, comprised of four criteria: the FFE task, activity, performance method, and toolkit. In terms of those two dimensions, the paper looks at previous FFE studies to gain an understanding of features of each FFE study along with related knowledge and theories, as well as identification of evolution trends of FFE studies. Based on the identification, an FFE model development strategy for each criterion is formulated, and this paper proposes possible options for executing those strategies which exert influence on the form of the cluster network. The intention is for the database to be utilised as an overview of all existing FFE studies and allow specific FFE studies to be selected to examine FFE approaches.This paper provides FFE model development guidance on how to deal with the overall attributes and outcomes of the FFE which affect the entirety of the innovation process, and how to manage the performance structure related to process parameters.

The Fuzzy Front End: Concept Development in the Automotive Industry

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christer W. Elverum ◽  
Torgeir Welo ◽  
Martin Steinert
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
New Product Development ◽  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
New Product ◽  
Product Development Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Fuzzy Front End ◽  
Front End

The fuzzy front end (FFE) of new product development (NPD) is a term that refers to the early stages of the innovation process. This paper investigates the FFE in the automotive industry and addresses the challenges of working in this phase of the innovation process, as well as the academic definition of the FFE relative to the real world. Two parts of the innovation process have been identified and characterized as FFE: the concept-work within satellite front-end departments and the work within the pre-development phase of the vehicle new product development process. It has been identified that one of the greatest challenges related to working in the FFE is developing viable concepts that will “sell” internally. Estimating and conveying the overall value of the final product in terms of costs and customer benefits are two of the key elements that make it difficult to achieve internal “buy in”. Furthermore, it is argued that the most common academic perception of the FFE seem to be inadequate since it only concerns work that ends with a go/no-go decision whether to continue into development or not. Consequently, it fails to capture early-stage development work of transformational innovations, where the decision of development has already been made and the uncertainty is related to the execution of the work — and — not the outcome. Semi-structured interviews with a total of eleven employees at seven different automotive OEMs form the basis for the conclusions made herein.

Choice of consumer research methods in the front end of new product development

2013 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariëlle Creusen ◽  
Erik Jan Hultink ◽  
Katrin Eling
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
New Product Development ◽  
Consumer Research ◽  
New Product ◽  
Consumer Information ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Fuzzy Front End ◽  
Front End ◽  
Size Type

This study investigates the choice of consumer research methods in the fuzzy front end (FFE) of the new product development (NPD) process. First, it delivers an up-to-date overview of currently available consumer research methods for use in the FFE of NPD. Second, using an online questionnaire, we obtain insights into the use of these consumer research methods by B-to-C companies based in the Netherlands (N = 88, including many major multinational companies). Third, these companies provided the major reasons for choosing these methods, and specified the types of consumer information that they aim to gather using these methods. Finally, we investigate the influence of company size, type of products developed (durable/non-durable) and product newness on the use of these methods. Based on these findings, we build a contingency framework that helps companies to improve their choice of consumer research methods in the FFE, where consumer insights are most important for new product success.

AMBIGUITY REDUCTION IN NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (04) ◽  
pp. 573-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
ERIC BRUN ◽  
ALF STEINAR SAETRE
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
New Product Development ◽  
New Product ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
Essential Component ◽  
Fuzzy Front End ◽  
Front End ◽  
Deductive Method ◽  
Ambiguity Reduction

In this paper, we argue that ambiguity is an essential component of "fuzziness" in the Fuzzy Front End of New Product Development (NPD), and that a better understanding of how ambiguity emerges and is reduced, is called for. We explore the process by which ambiguity was reduced in four NPD projects, and propose a model that enhances our understanding of this process. Ambiguity arises as multiple interpretations, and interpretations can be understood as hypotheses, hence these can be tested by using the hypothetical-deductive method (HDM). We present a model showing that ambiguity in NPD projects is efficiently reduced by applying the HDM to test the multiple interpretations that give rise to ambiguity and the assumptions underlying these interpretations. We discuss theoretical implications and the usefulness of the model for practitioners of NPD.

Pitching at the Fuzzy Front-End: Authentically Assessing New Product Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-65
Author(s):  
Teegan Green ◽  
Jay Weerawardena
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
Product Development ◽  
New Product Development ◽  
Social Constructivism ◽  
Authentic Assessment ◽  
New Product ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Product Concept ◽  
Fuzzy Front End ◽  
Front End

Managing the “fuzzy front-end” (FFE) of new product development (NPD) is critical for NPD success. To simulate this reality, we tasked self-selecting undergraduate teams of four to six students with developing a substantially innovative new product concept. Integrating Vygotskian and Piagetian perspectives on social constructivism and experiential learning, we designed an authentic assessment pushing students into the FFE of NPD, featuring a live pitch to an expert industry panel. Pre-and-post survey results suggest students prefer authentic assessment infused with real-world learning experiences such as the pitch. Encouragingly, students perceived less usefulness over time for animate (e.g., teaching staff) and inanimate (e.g., textbooks) resources, indicating increased reliance on oneself post-assessment. Qualitative characteristics noted by students were group work, academic success, and the degree of challenge. Our approach is relevant for educators seeking to infuse their teaching—and enthuse students—with authentic assessment, addressing limitations of teacher-centered andragogy.

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