Developing IDPEO - a Multidisciplinary Approach to Product Realization

On the background of a changing industrial landscape and key elements of the realization of complex integrated products, this paper discuss and explore an "innovative" approach towards product concept development methodologies by focusing on creativity, multidisciplinary teams, and decision-making. Throughout 2006-2009 a product realization methodology, the idPeo methodology, has been developed in a university/industry collaboration milieu. Based on a briefly reported literature review, the paper presents the methodology, briefly the three generations of conducted cases and the evolution of the methodology over the years. It is argued that the approach for innovative product realization in concept development, if implemented correctly also into companies' product development process, could contribute to increased flexibility, creativity and tolerance for change. It could also decrease lead time, increase product performance, and decrease uncertainty.