Activity 2: Summary and next steps

In this activity you explored the phases of the product’s life cycle. You learned that every product will go through five phases:

The design phase

In this phase the product is designed. Decisions made at this stage will affect all subsequent phases. You will learn more about the design process in the next activity.

The manufacturing phase

This is the phase when the product is manufactured. Manufacturing involves making the individual parts of the product as well as the assembly of the parts into the completed product. You have learned that designers must speak to manufacturers during the design phase otherwise their designs may be costly, or even impossible to manufacture. The term that is used to describe the designers’ awareness of the manufacturing phase is design for manufacture. By contrast, the term that is used to describe the designer’s lack of coordination with manufacturers is sometimes referred to as over-the-wall syndrome.

The marketing phase

This is the phase in which the product is transported from manufacturing facilities to points of sale. It may also be stored in multiple places before reaching the end user. Designers must speak to marketing specialists during the design phase otherwise they may end up with products that are difficult to sell. In almost all kinds of consumer products designers must ensure that products have an attractive look (aesthetic appeal). For best results, engineering designers should seek help from industrial designers to make sure the products look nice.

The usage phase

In this phase, also called the utilisation phase, the product is put into use by the end users. This phase can be the longest and toughest phase in the product’s life. Designers must first of all account for the functional requirements of the product, i.e. what functions the product should have. Designers must also make sure that the product is easy to use, cheap to run, and is reliable and safe. Failure to meet any of the previous requirements will impact the product’s usability, and in some cases may lead to catastrophic consequences.

The disposal phase

In this phase, also called the decommissioning phase, the product will have reached the end of its life and must be disposed of. Designers must take into account the impact that the product will have on the environment when the product is thrown away. The product should be made of materials that can be recycled, and if that is not possible, the materials should not be harmful to the environment.

Next steps

This brings you to the end of Activity 2. As mentioned earlier, the next activity will focus on the most creative element of the product lifecycle: the design phase.