Development of innovative products in a small and medium size enterprise

Problems in the development of new products in small and mid-sized companies (SMEs) are analysed. Concurrent engineering methods known to date for the development of new products are tested within the framework of human and organisational capacities. The methodologies of 3-T looping and three-level team structure were especially tested. It was established that a two-level organisation is more suitable for small companies. Due to requirements for product complexity, it was found that n-T looping methodology should be implemented. In the case of complex products (the methodology was tested on a mini-loader), it turns out that n is in the range of seven to nine members. Such a large team is still manageable and acts in an integrative manner to achieve the goal, i.e. new product development. In the matrix analysis of activities, the use of supplemented methodology was justified and proven for each phase of product development.