The Design Process - Medical Device Design: Innovation from Concept to Market - page 36

Need

Product

Conceptual
design

Detailed
design

Clarification

Embodiment

Figure 3.9
Design process versus ideas generated.

beginning a single need produces an abundance of ideas that could satisfy that need - hence
the funnel expands to demonstrate the expansion of ideas. Eventually we need to select an
idea and develop that into a single solution that fully meets the demands laid down by the
statement of need; hence it constricts, demonstrating that we focus on a single outcome. This
process is illustrated graphically in Figure 3.10 .

At the very left of the process one document is produced: the statement of need or design
brief. This document outlines the demand and gives some indication of the requirements.
It is not complete enough to undertake the design process but is detailed enough to make
a decision whether to go forward or not. To complete the clarification stage one needs to
produce the highly detailed product specification or product design specification (PDS) . To
do this you will need to immerse yourself in the discipline, interview end-users, and discuss
needs and demands with both your customers and your subcontractors - all are important. As
indicated in the diagram, it is likely that the PDS will go through several stages and several
draft PDS will be produced before a final version is agreed on. We will cover this in more
detail in Chapter 5.