New Product Development Definition
New product development (NPD) is the overall process of conceptualizing, designing, planning, and commercializing a new product in an effort to bring it to market. There are several different approaches to this process. Some approaches are customer centered, team based, or systematic as examples.
Compliance and Regulatory Considerations During New Product Development
Manufacturers must comply with a wide range of regulations when developing new products. A quality management system (QMS) ensures that companies fulfill all regulatory criteria. This is accomplished by:
- Maintaining records to support the design and development of the product such as design plans, inputs, outputs, device master records (DMRs), design history files (DHFs), approved supplier/vendor lists (ASLs/AVLs), and employee training records
- Establishing procedures pertaining to document and record control, quality control, product assembly and maintenance, and software validation.
- Incorporating quality measurement and monitoring tools (e.g., customer surveys, internal audits, nonconformance reports, corrective and preventive actions)
A QMS makes comprehensive risk assessments, frequent compliance audits, and ongoing regulatory change monitoring easier. It ensures that products are safe, dependable, and of the highest quality, which is crucial for getting market acceptance and preserving consumer trust.
Ensuring Product Quality in the New Product Development Process
A key component in qualifying, selling, and maintaining safe and effective products is a quality management system (QMS). A QMS provides a framework for documenting processes that are necessary to design, develop, and manufacture high-quality products. Processes include quality controls, design validation, and audits all of which are meant to help meet customer requirements and comply with industry regulations. The QMS aids in lowering errors and improving product reliability by methodically detecting and resolving possible flaws and inefficiencies. Businesses that want to stay ahead of the competition must have a robust QMS in place. It not only guarantees product excellence but also upholds the company’s reputation for quality in the marketplace.
