Computerized product process: Measurement and continuous improvement

Product development has until recently been considered pure art instead of being a controllable process. However, the current competitive environment has forced companies to take a closer look in the way new products are being developed. A key element in this assessment is the development of a set of metrics, which describe the whole product development process. This article explores the data-based opportunities for continuous improvement in the product development process emerging alongside the increasing utilization of networked Information Technology (IT) applications. Based on data from information systems in the case-study companies, three different product process visualizations are presented. Each visualization is discussed both from the viewpoint of its explanatory power as well as its limitations.