Method and system for managing and validating product development

• US 20090062952A1
• Filed: 08/31/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Hoehne, Brian John, Sullivan, Andrew Donald, Muir, Thomas Gerard, Henninger, Franklin Harrison
• Granted Patent: US 7,684,886 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/109
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2111/02 CAD in a network environment, e.g. collaborative CAD or distributed simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]

Abstract

A method is provided for managing and validating product development. The method may include obtaining a product specification for a product and identifying prior products that have capabilities within a defined range of the product specifications. The method may also include developing a performance specification based on the product specification and the identified prior products. Further, the method may include obtaining approval for the performance specification, developing the product according to the performance specification, and validating that the product meets the performance specification.

Claims

1. A method for managing and validating product development, comprising:

obtaining a product specification for a product;

identifying prior products that have capabilities within a defined range of the product specifications;

developing a performance specification based on the product specification and the identified prior products;

obtaining approval for the performance specification;

developing the product according to the performance specification; and

validating that the product meets the performance specification.

2. The method of claim 1, further including:

creating a technical summary for the product by analyzing the product specifications;

storing the technical summary in a first database;

creating a performance contract based on the performance specification; and

storing the performance contract in the first database, wherein

obtaining approval includes obtaining approval for the performance contract.

3. The method of claim 2, further including:

creating first test data by simulating a first modeled product, the first modeled product being configured based on the product specifications;

creating second test data by simulating a second modeled product, the second modeled product being configured based on the performance specification;

creating third test data by testing the developed product;

storing the first test data, the second test data, and the third test data in the first database, and

storing technical details of the simulations and the testing in a second database.

4. The method of claim 3, further including providing a comparison between the first test data, the second test data, and the third test data.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

a technical contract includes the product specifications, the product specifications indicating desired performance characteristics for the product, and

a performance contract includes the performance specifications.

6. The method of claim 1, further including using one or more web-based forms to:

obtain the product specification;

develop the performance specification; and

obtain the approval.

7. The method of claim 6, further including building the web-based form using a data dictionary including standardized terms for the product.

8. A computer-readable medium comprising program instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform a method for managing and validating product development, the method comprising:

obtaining a product specification for a product;

identifying prior products that have capabilities within a defined range of the product specifications;

developing a performance specification based on the product specification and the identified prior products;

obtaining approval for the performance specification;

developing the product according to the performance specification; and

validating that the product meets the performance specification.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the method further includes:

creating a technical summary for the product by analyzing the product specifications;

storing the technical summary in a first database;

creating a performance contract based on the performance specification; and

storing the performance contract in the first database, wherein

obtaining approval includes obtaining approval for the performance contract.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the method further includes:

creating first test data by simulating a first modeled product, the first modeled product being configured based on the product specifications;

creating second test data by simulating a second modeled product, the second modeled product being configured based on the performance specification;

creating third test data by testing the developed product;

storing the first test data, the second test data, and the third test data in the first database, and

storing technical details of the simulations and the testing in a second database.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the method further includes providing a comparison between the first test data, the second test data, and the third test data.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein:

a technical contract includes the product specifications, the product specifications indicating desired performance characteristics for the product, and

a performance contract includes the performance specifications.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the method further includes using a web-based form to:

obtain the product specification;

develop the performance specification; and

obtain the approval.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the method further includes building the web-based form using a data dictionary including standardized terms for the product.

15. A system for managing and validating product development, comprising:

a memory;

at least one input device; and

at least one central processing unit in communication with the memory and the at least one input device, wherein the central processing unit;

obtains a product specification for a product;

identifies prior products that have capabilities within a defined range of the product specifications;

develops a performance specification based on the product specification and the identified prior products;

obtains approval for the performance specification;

develops the product according to the performance specification; and

validates that the product meets the performance specification.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the central processing unit further:

creates a technical summary for the product by analyzing the product specifications;

stores the technical summary in a first database;

creates a performance contract based on the performance specification; and

stores the performance contract in the first database, wherein

obtains approval includes obtaining approval for the performance contract.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the central processing unit further:

creates first test data by simulating a first modeled product, the first modeled product being configured based on the product specifications;

creates second test data by simulating a second modeled product, the second modeled product being configured based on the performance specification;

creates third test data by testing the developed product;

stores the first test data, the second test data, and the third test data in the first database, and

stores technical details of the simulations and the testing in a second database.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the central processing unit further provides a comparison between the first test data, the second test data, and the third test data.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein:

a technical contract includes the product specifications, the product specifications indicating desired performance characteristics for the product, and

a performance contract includes the performance specifications.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the central processing unit further:

uses one or more web-based forms to;

obtain the product specification;

develop the performance specification; and

obtain the approval, wherein

the web-based form uses a data dictionary including standardized terms for the product.