Product development has until recently been considered pure art instead of being a controllable process. However, the current competitive environment has forced companies to take a closer look in the way new products are being developed. A key element in this assessment is the development of a set of metrics, which describe the whole product development process. This article explores the data-based opportunities for continuous improvement in the product development process emerging alongside the increasing utilization of networked Information Technology (IT) applications. Based on data from information systems in the case-study companies, three different product process visualizations are presented. Each visualization is discussed both from the viewpoint of its explanatory power as well as its limitations.The results of the case-studies clearly indicate that the computerization of the engineering and design processes is generating new ways of measuring, understanding and improving product development. The appropriate measures combined with open communication and a learning environment can be used to create a cycle of continually improving the product development process.
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