"T"

Question 1

Task

Answer 1

The smallest describable unit of accomplishment in completing a deliverable.

Question 2

Target Cost

Answer 2

A cost objective established for a new product based on consideration of customer affordability. Target cost is treated as an independent variable that must be satisfied along with other customer requirements.

Question 3

Target Market

Answer 3

The group of consumers or potential customers selected for marketing. This market segment is most likely to buy the products within a given category. These are sometimes called “prime prospects.”

Question 4

Team

Answer 4

That group of persons who participate in the product development project. Frequently each team member represents a function, department, or specialty. Together they represent the full set of capabilities needed to complete the project. (See Chapter 9 in The PDMA HandBook 2nd Edition and Chapter 6 in The PDMA ToolBook 1.)

Question 5

Team Leader

Answer 5

The person leading the new product team. Responsible for ensuring that milestones and deliverables are achieved, but may not have any authority over project participants. (See Sections 1 and 2 of The PDMA ToolBook for 8 product development tools for Team Leaders.)

Question 6

Team Spotter’s Guide

Answer 6

A questionnaire used by a team leader (or team members) to diagnose the quality of the team’s functioning (see Chapter 6 in the PDMA ToolBook 1.)

Question 7

Technology-Driven

Answer 7

A new product or new product strategy based on the strength of a technical capability. Sometimes called “solutions in search of problems.”

Question 8

Technology Road Map

Answer 8

A graphic representation of technology evolution or technology plans mapped against time. It is used to guide new technology development for or technology selection in developing new products.

Question 9

Technology Stage Gate (TSG)

Answer 9

A process for managing the technology development efforts when there is high uncertainty and risk. The process brings a structured methodology for managing new technology development without thwarting the creativity needed in this early stage of product development. It is specifically intended to manage high-risk technology development projects when there is uncertainty and risk that the technology discovery may never occur and therefore the ultimate desired product characteristics might never be achieved. (See Chapter 11 in The PDMA ToolBook 1.)

Question 10

Technology Transfer

Answer 10

The process of converting scientific findings from research laboratories into useful products by the commercial sector. May also be referred to as the process of transferring technology between alliance partners.

Question 11

Test Markets

Answer 11

The launching of a new product into one or more limited geographic regions in a very controlled manner, and measuring consumer response to the product and its launch. When multiple geographies are used in the test, different advertising or pricing policies may be tested and the results compared.

Question 12

Think Links

Answer 12

Stimuli used in divergent thinking to help participants make new connections using seemingly unrelated concepts from a list of people, places, or things.

Question 13

Think-Tank

Answer 13

Environments, frequently isolated from normal organizational activities, created by management to generate new ideas or approaches to solving organizational problems.

Question 14

Thought Organizers

Answer 14

Tools that help categorize information associated with ideas such that the ideas can be placed into groups that can be more easily compared or evaluated.

Question 15

Three Rís

Answer 15

The fundamental steps of Record, Recall, and Reconstruct which most creative minds go through when generating new product ideas.

Question 16

Threshold Criteria

Answer 16

The minimum acceptable performance targets for any proposed product development project.

Question 17

Thumbnail

Answer 17

The most minimal form of sketching, usually using pencils, to represent a product idea.

Question 18

Time to Market

Answer 18

The length of time it takes to develop a new product from an earl y initial idea for a new product to initial market sales. Precise definitions of the start and end point vary from one company to another, and may vary from one project to another within the company.

Question 19

Tone

Answer 19

The feeling, emotion, or attitude most associated with using a product. The appropriate tone is important to include in consumer new product concepts and advertising.

Question 20

Tornado

Answer 20

A mid to late growth stage strategy that follows the “bowling alley” and which describes an often frenzied period of rapid growth and acceptance for a product category. Activities of the tornado phase include commoditization of a product to become an industry standard, competitive pricing to maximize share and low cost volume distribution channels. Success in the tornado is related to maintaining previously established product leadership and complementing it with operational excellence in a variety of strategic areas.

Question 21

Total Quality Management (TQM)

Answer 21

A business improvement philosophy that comprehensively and continuously involves all of an organization’s functions in improvement activities.

Question 22

Tracking Studies

Answer 22

Surveys of consumers (usually conducted by telephone) following the product’s launch to measure consumer awareness, attitudes, trial, adoption and repurchase rates.

Question 23

TRIZ

Answer 23

The acronym for the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving, which is a Russian, systematic method of solving problems and creating multiple-alternative solutions. It is based on an analysis and codification of technology solutions from millions of patents. The method enhances creativity by getting individuals to think beyond their own experience and to reach across disciplines to solve problems using solutions from other areas of science.