Requirements capture: identifying market requirements and translating them into product design briefs and specifications

This paper briefly summarises the findings of a two-year, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded research project which aimed to understand how ideas and information were translated into design briefs and specifications at the `front-end´ of NPD. Working with a major telecommunications company, Trident plc, detailed case studies of a number of different development projects were undertaken. Comparative studies were carried out with major companies in the computing and automotive sectors. A number of MR agencies were also examined to discover current use of market research at the `front-end´ of the product development process. An extensive review of the literature was also performed. The findings of this research allowed the formulation of a theoretical model of requirements capture, and the development of a formal requirements capture process for Trident plc, currently being implemented. A generic requirements capture process and detailed generic process guide have also been developed