A survey-based methodology for prioritising the industrial implementation qualities of design tools

The early use of design tools in new product development has a significant impact on competitive business performance. However, their implementation by companies is not always successful. The main aim of this paper is to enhance research methodology for the development of new design tools to aid successful industrial implementation. A survey of existing research associated with the development and implementation of a wide range of design tools is reviewed, and categorised in terms of their ideal attributes, why, how and when they should be implemented, who should be involved, and where they are best positioned in the product development process. Known issues considered as implementation barriers are also presented in terms of practitioner and manager perspectives. Priority implementation issues are further identified from requirements analysis and the implementation history of four specific design tools at different implementation statuses. These qualities are then discussed in the context of enhancing research methodology for design tool development.