This practical book introduces readers to the essential business aspects of innovation and new product planning. The product planning process is discussed across two broad themes: product development and product management. Importantly, the book emphasizes the 21st-century strategic and creative mindset necessary to drive business innovation activities in a concise, yet comprehensive manner. The book delves into the front end of innovation and formal product development activities, examining the topics of opportunity identification, concept generation and evaluation, technical development, product design, testing, launch strategies, product management, life cycle management, brand management, and vital elements for international success. There are stand-alone notes that serve to apprise readers on related topics such as the use of agile product development methodologies, the formation of business entities, and recommended best practices for new product development. The book excels at providing relevant examples and applied tools that augment the concepts to offer valuable connections to real-world product planning efforts. This book is particularly useful as a guide to learning the fundamental concepts and strategies associated with innovation and new product planning. Among student audiences, upper-level undergraduate and first-year graduate students are likely to benefit as the book embraces its position to serve as a primer on product development and management.

Concise yet comprehensive, Product Planning Essentials addresses the complex, interdisciplinary nature of product development and product management. It covers strategic issues that emerge during the product life cycle, including identifying opportunities, idea generation and evaluation, technical development, commercialization, and eventual product dismissal. Special topics include public policy, international issues, and intellectual property. An interesting summary of product development best practices from several companies appears at the end of the book. Instructors, students and practitioners will appreciate the balanced managerial and how-to orientation.

This practical book introduces readers to the essential business aspects of innovation and new product planning. The product planning process is discussed across two broad themes: product development and product management. Importantly, the book emphasizes the 21st-century strategic and creative mindset necessary to drive business innovation activities in a concise, yet comprehensive manner. The book delves into the front end of innovation and formal product development activities, examining the topics of opportunity identification, concept generation and evaluation, technical development, product design, testing, launch strategies, product management, life cycle management, brand management, and vital elements for international success. There are stand-alone notes that serve to apprise readers on related topics such as the use of agile product development methodologies, the formation of business entities, and recommended best practices for new product development. The book excels at providing relevant examples and applied tools that augment the concepts to offer valuable connections to real-world product planning efforts. This book is particularly useful as a guide to learning the fundamental concepts and strategies associated with innovation and new product planning. Among student audiences, upper-level undergraduate and first-year graduate students are likely to benefit as the book embraces its position to serve as a primer on product development and management.

Concise and jargon free, this is a one-step primer on the tools and techniques of forecasting new product development. Equally useful for students and professionals, the book is generously illustrated, and features numerous current real-world industry cases and examples. Part I covers the basic foundations and processes of new product forecasting, and links forecasting to the broader processes of new product development and sales and operations planning. Part II includes detailed, step-by-step techniques of new product forecasting, from judgmental techniques to regression analysis. Each chapter in this section begins with the most basic techniques, then progresses to more advanced levels. Part III addresses managerial considerations of new product forecasting, including postlaunch issues such as cannibalization and supercession. The final chapter presents an important set of industry best practices and benchmarks.

Concise and jargon free, this is a one-step primer on the tools and techniques of forecasting new product development. Equally useful for students and professionals, the book is generously illustrated, and features numerous current real-world industry cases and examples. Part I covers the basic foundations and processes of new product forecasting, and links forecasting to the broader processes of new product development and sales and operations planning. Part II includes detailed, step-by-step techniques of new product forecasting, from judgmental techniques to regression analysis. Each chapter in this section begins with the most basic techniques, then progresses to more advanced levels. Part III addresses managerial considerations of new product forecasting, including postlaunch issues such as cannibalization and supercession. The final chapter presents an important set of industry best practices and benchmarks.

Concise yet comprehensive, Product Planning Essentials addresses the complex, interdisciplinary nature of product development and product management. It covers strategic issues that emerge during the product life cycle, including identifying opportunities, idea generation and evaluation, technical development, commercialization, and eventual product dismissal. Special topics include public policy, international issues, and intellectual property. An interesting summary of product development best practices from several companies appears at the end of the book. Instructors, students and practitioners will appreciate the balanced managerial and how-to orientation.