The development of a performance measurement methodology in support of the new product introduction process

Abstract

This thesis describes the application of performance measurement indicators in New Product Introduction (NPI). The NPI process is important in any business context as a result of constant competition and market globalisation. Delays in the NPI process are likely to compromise organisations' profitability. Time-to-market is therefore a crucial business success factor. To control a product's time-to-market the NPI process needs to be managed effectively through the use of process performance measures. Through the initial research it became apparent that there are no appropriate measures to specifically assess the NPI process. Those, which are typically applied, tend to be of a financial nature based on outcome that do not provide process-related information. This research makes a unique contribution to kllowledge by the development of a NPI performance measurement method that is predictive allowing practitioners to dynamically monitor': and improve the output of the NPI process. The method proposed has a general application within a wide range of companies. The appropriate application of this method will maintain and potentially improve business profitability by improving the NPI process and consequently it's time-to-market.