Discussion 1: Product Development Process

This week’s content has discussed cross-functional product development and process selection. You have read about how new product development is influenced by the design process and the design tools selected. Two processes for product development were presented: the sequential process and the concurrent process. Each method has advantages and disadvantages that managers need to consider when developing a new product. Recall that operations is responsible for supplying the product or service of the organization and, in order to most efficiently and effectively supply the product, operations managers need to understand the product development options.

Post by Wednesday December 9, 2015 a 250-350 word statement that addresses the following questions about the product development process options:

What steps in the sequential product development process are similar to the concurrent product development process? What steps are different?

Which product development process is more efficient and effective for developing products and services that are well aligned with market expectations and why?

Support your work with specific citations from the Learning Resources. You are allowed to draw from additional sources to support your argument, but you must cite using APA standards. All quoted material must be identified, cited, and referenced per APA standards.

Discussion 2: Group Discussion: Group Case Study Project

Each week, as you consider the Crocs: Revolutionizing an Industry’s Supply Chain Model for Competitive Advantage case study, you will have two Group Project assignments to complete. One will involve a Group Discussion and the other will be an Individual Assignment. The information from both parts will be used for your final Group Case Study Project. 

Read the Crocs: Revolutionizing an Industry’s Supply Chain Model for Competitive Advantage case study in your course text. (See Attachment) For your Group Discussion this week, do the following:

Post by Wednesday December 9, 2015 a 250-350 word response that addresses the following questions:

• Describe Crocs’ new product development process.

• What functional areas within the company are involved in this process?

• How does the company collaborate with suppliers and retailers during this new product development process, and why is this important for effective and efficient product design?

  Support your work with specific citations from the Learning Resources. You are allowed to draw from additional sources to support your argument, but you must cite using APA standards. All quoted material must be identified, cited, and referenced per APA standards.