Method for determining a feature introduction timing plan for a product

• US 20030101090A1
• Filed: 11/13/2002
• Published: 05/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Heller, Eric, LaWall, Thomas Gary, Ozog, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US10/065,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20030101090A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0202 Market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities

Abstract

A method for determining a feature introduction timing plan has been disclosed. This method includes the step of determining a product attribute leadership strategy for a feature. This method further includes the step of categorizing the feature as one of a number of feature types. The method also includes estimating a first-to-market time for the feature. From this information, a feature introduction timing plan is generated that aligns this information with the overall business goals of a manufacturer. This plan can then be utilized to assess engineering readiness or allocate engineering resources.

Claims

1. A method for planning the timing of a feature introduction of a product comprising:

selecting a feature of a product for which a feature introduction timing plan is to be calculated;

estimating a first-to-market timing for said feature;

selecting a product attribute leadership strategy (PALS) for said feature, said PALS based on a desired competitive market timing;

retrieving a PALS adjustment factor associated with said PALS from a PALS adjustment factor database;

selecting a product segment for said feature;

selecting one of a plurality of feature types for said feature;

retrieving a segment adjustment factor associated with said product segment and said one of said plurality of feature types from a segment adjustment factor database; and

calculating said feature introduction timing plan for said feature and said product segment based on said PALS adjustment factor, said segment adjustment factor, and said first-to-market timing.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining an engineering resource allocation based on said feature introduction timing plan.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting said PALS is based on an expected profit for said product.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said selecting said PALS is based on a consumer market demand.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said product comprises an automobile.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said PALS adjustment factor comprises a time period.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said calculating said feature introduction timing plan is performed by a computer program.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of comparing said feature introduction timing plan with a current product timing plan.

9. A method for planning the timing of a feature introduction of a product comprising:

selecting a feature of a product for which a feature introduction timing plan is to be calculated;

estimating a first-to-market time for said feature; and

generating a feature introduction timing plan for said product based on said first-to-market time, a product attribute leadership strategy, a product segment, and a feature type.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said product attribute leadership strategy is based on a consumer market demand.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said product attribute leadership strategy is based on an expected increase of sales of said product when said feature is included in said product.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of choosing said product attribute leadership strategy from a finite set of product attribute leadership strategies.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of choosing said product segments from a finite set of product segments.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of choosing said feature type from a finite set of feature types.

11. The method of clam 9, wherein said estimating said first-to-market time comprises gathering competitive intelligence.