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STAGE 5AGREE PRODUCT SPECIFICATION & FREEZE DESIGNIt's decision time. The team must agree all the detailed product specifications, including critical product characteristics ("Fit and Function") and then every member should approve the proposed designs as being suitable for his particular discipline or, if not, gain total team approval for appropriate changes to the product design. Hereafter, alterations can be time-consuming, increase the risk of errors and demoralise the suppliers. If design amendments are unavoidable then it is vital that each member makes his own organisation aware of the consequences and that the resultant changes are fully documented. Having frozen the specifications and designs, it should be possible to review, refine and confirm the existing budget quotations that have already been received from the mouldmaker and moulder. Note that, since the team is predominantly technical, it may well be appropriate to co-opt specific commercial expertise at this point (see Words of Wisdom 4). It is also time to reconsider or confirm the raw material specifications and the moulding machine that will be used for production purposes. Once again, it should be remembered that the recycling of the end-product, or its final disposal, may affect the choice of polymer(s) selected. Any outstanding legal, technical or commercial considerations should be resolved at this stage. |
"Speak now or forever..." |