2. Chapter 2: Literature review
3.6 Design of Experiment involving Design Audit
The Fig. 3.5 below explains detailed schema, of conducting the experiments. This includes choosing the product, design auditing and generating Linkographs which are discussed in detail in later chapter 4 and 5.
Figure 3.5: Shows the overall experimental analysis planned for the research
3.6.1 Experimental procedure
The methodology employed in conducting pilot study and main experiments is outlined in Fig.
3.6. For analyzing products, we adopted some of the available tools and methods (mentioned in chapter 2).
The following Fig. 3.6 depicts in detail, the steps involved in product analysis/audit for the selected products. These steps have been also retained in carrying out analysis in the major experiments as well. The product analysis steps are as shown in Fig. 3.7, in which external observation and internal observation, disassembling, analysis, compiling, generation/selection of ideas are shown. Details regarding the surveys conducted are discussed in above section.
Figure 3.6: Plan for the design audit for pilot study and main experiment
Figure 3.7: Steps for product analysis/ Product analysis an overview
3.6.2 Design Audit of products manufactured by MSMEs
Design audit of a product is done to take stock of the present design and find deficiencies which could be improved, or which could be pointers to spot within the product wherein value addition could be done. A product design audit process will help improve its design and functionality according to latest market trends and end-user needs. The term is gaining currency as a method of checking status of a Design output’s performance by Design management business firms [nibusinessinfo.co.uk], [symphony-solutions.eu] and is also used in class room training sessions [Yammiyavar, 2004].
Design audit in this thesis is done by using analysis tools and methods that originate in Value Engineering and Operation Management. Value engineering is a systematic method to improve the "value" of products and services by using an examination of the part’s function with its cost.
Value, as defined, is the ratio of function to cost. In this thesis Design Audit has been adopted as the primary approach for analysis of existing products in combination with Value Engineering.
Review of literature leads us to the inference that innovation is a qualitative term and difficult to quantify. Variations in customers and manufacturers perspective related to innovation adds on to the difficulty. Hence it is posited that building a framework for practicing and indexing innovation, especially for MSMEs would help them in identifying and quantifying variables in innovation.
Design audits are rarely performed in the MSME’s as the process of designing the product is either adopted from the available designs without defining the time frame of its utilitarian benefit or importance to the customer. Market aggregation is a most popular technique adopted to suit the design needs of the larger market. The selection of products samples in our analysis was done on the basis of them being manufactured by MSMEs and they are used for major experiments based on visual investigation and discussions with experts.
3.6.3 Visual investigation of the products and archetype products
The selection of products for the experiments was done after examining a list of hundred randomly chosen possible listing of household or everyday use artifacts. Other factors that were considered to narrow down the selection to seven type of products, are mentioned below:
1. The products should have been manufactured by MSMEs.
2. The product should be novel in the sense that they should have good features, of low cost with multiple use functions. The design should be an improved version of an existing product of a previous generation
3. The product selected will preferably fall under PPF zone 3 [Yammiyavar, 2004].
4. The product should belong to a family of products with more value addition in it as decided between three product designers by informal discussions.
5. Archetype products were given more preference than me to type of products.
Considering all the above points for the selection of samples for analysis research experiments, we selected seven cases (Table 3.6 for product photographs) as follows:
Case 1. Multipurpose openers- 3 numbers labeled as of different openers as Opener A, Opener B and Opener C to enable auditing their innovative content by comparison.
Case 2. Rain Protection devices such as Umbrellas - 3 numbers; and rain coat. They are labeled as U1, U2, U3, and R1. Umbrellas and raincoats are not archetypes, but in our research we have considered function of both products as common utility factor.
Case 3. Envelope Making setup -2 types (One is Chinese made with higher cost, the other one was developed in the lab as no similar Indian product was available. They are labeled as A & B.
Case 4. Computing devices - One tablet with cover tablet and one Tablet without cover.
Case 5. Blenders - Electric and mechanical type (Only Linkographs have been developed) Case 6. Garment Steamer compact and big (Only Linkographs have been developed) Case 7. Iron box normal and inbuilt steamer (Only Linkographs have been developed.)
Table 3.6: Selected products for the analysis/audit
Opener A Opener B Opener C
Earwax remover
Solar powered auto vent cooler
Umbrella U1 Umbrella U2 Umbrella U3 Raincoat R1
Envelope Maker A Chinese made
Envelope Maker B
Lab developed Computing devices A and B
Blender A Blender B
Iron A
Iron B
Garment Steamer big A and compact B
The above products have been subjected to Design audit, which are discussed in the subsequent chapters.
Summary of chapter 3: This chapter discussed the research methodology used to carry out the research experiments. The initial studies, interviews, discussion are included. Details of experiment design, surveys conducted, along with pilot and main experimental procedure. Pilot testing and main experiments conducted along with linkograph generation are presented in next chapters.
Chapter 4
4.Innovation Framework/Model - proposal
Abstract: Based on the insights from the literature discussed in earlier chapter 2 and following methodology in Chapter 3, a conceptual frame work - to develop a new innovation model has been presented in Chapter 4. The basis on which the proposed Innovation Frame work has been conceived is described. Using two products as experimental samples, pilot testing of the proposed frame work has been done to ascertain its theoretical as well as structural construction. In this chapter only the basis of frame work, its development and its validation by pilot testing has been dealt with. The developed frame work has been used to conduct the larger experiment which is reported in the next chapter.