How Web 2.0 Can Make a Difference in Product Development Quality

Even with formal product development processes, costly PDM/PLM investments, risk management plans, design controls, and strict regulatory compliance mandates, most medical device companies still experience high costs, late release dates, irregular product performance and very expensive product recalls. Using a Web 2.0 approach will help you create a unified product development model and avoid costly mistakes throughout the product development process. In this Profit Through Process podcast, Genna Weiss of Six Sigma IQ speaks with David Cronin, Director at Cognition Corporation, who discusses how your organization can dramatically improve product development using Web 2.0 technology.



Cronin discusses how Web 2.0 technology enables a series of process and deliverable templates which automatically flow information from one part of the process to all the other parts. This template approach guides users step by step through the PDP by providing small, bite-sized steps that are easy to follow and don't require any special expertise by the user. Web 2.0 templates communicate with each other so information is automatically traced from one function to the next. Voices, requirements, specifications, tests, risks, costs — all the important pieces of product development flow together in real time. The Web 2.0 model also allows for remote, simultaneous, real time interaction with projects by all product development team members worldwide. This new Web 2.0 approach means one database, one user interface, one training class, and one go-to place for all product development functions and deliverables. IT will be pleased as well since Web 2.0 technology means zero software installation on the user's computer: it's all accessed through the web browser.