An empirical study on process development

Process development is less studied in the research of product realization compared to product development. Through a case study, we explore the characteristics of process development, as a critical function between product design and product execution. Multiple methods such as activity overlapping, modular system configuration, and technologies for early information interpretation can improve its performance. Also, the study reveals there are two interfaces (product design process design; process design - process execution) and thus two major information transformations. There is a need for a shift in research from explaining dyadic relationships (design - manufacturing) to triadic relationships.