Methodologies and tools to support design and development of new products

Abstract

Nowadays, companies, even the small ones, need to use more efficient working methods such as "transnational." The market may still be local or regional, but the competition is global. To be competitive, companies need to develop innovative products and introduce them to the market at an acceptable price, in proper time and with a higher quality level. According to some authors, the survival strategy of the companies is related to the development of methodologies that are able to design, develop and provide, through efficient processes, innovative products and high quality. In this context, this paper aims to classify and characterize the main methodologies and tools used in new products development. This aims are supported by the graphs theory that is briefly addressed.