Virtual Product Development (VPD)
The Stage Gate Product Development Process was developed during the 1980’s by Dr. Cooper. Many functional societies, highly innovative management consultants and individual company driven initiatives have improved that process. The need to better predict the success and failure of the product development cycle has accelerated the advancement and use of new development and manufacturing technologies.
Virtual Product Development was slow to evolve but it is now accelerating the pace at which we design, develop and manufacture new products. Write a short essay describing how you believe VPD will impact the future of the stage gate process. Use examples of commercially available products to highlight your statements where possible.