"From his vantage point as a former professor and researcher as well as a chief technology officer and director of advanced manufacturing technology, Francis presents the nine key business functions of new product development (NPD): manufacturing strategy, IT systems, issues of leadership and culture, customer satisfaction, quality, operations and measurement, intellectual property, the management of research and development, and technology.

He devotes a chapter to each function, explaining how managers can implement and manage each of these nine NPD functions. Francis enriches his arguments with real-world examples of triumphs and failures in a variety of industries, from consumer products such as furniture to business products such as networking software. He offers hands-on suggestions and strategies for every stage in the product development process, including "Ideas for Action" sections containing questions that can eliminate a product at any stage.

Special sections of the book elaborate on the steps to take during key NPD processes." "Written for those trained in technology as well as business-oriented industrial mangers, Product Creation is for CEOs, engineers, designers, marketing managers, IT officers, as well as anyone concerned with product development from conception to market."--BOOK JACKET.