The NPD-ChatGPT framework
An AI approach to new product development
The ability to develop new products and upgrade existing ones is crucial for the success of any sustainable business. However, the process of new product development (NPD) can be complex and challenging, with success rates ranging between 45 and 62% (Cooper and Edgett, 2010).
This is where the NPD-ChatGPT Framework comes in.
The NPD-ChatGPT Framework combines the use of an NPD framework, developed by Dhargalkar et al. (2016), which provides a comprehensive list of 45 attributes that an ideal product or service should possess, with the natural language processing capabilities of ChatGPT.
The attributes range from functional aspects such as “capacity” and “durability” to user-centered attributes such as “comfort” and “ease of use”. Other attributes include “resale value” and “traceability”, which can add value to the product even after it becomes redundant or obsolete for the user.
By providing ChatGPT with a description of a product idea or existing company, the practitioner can take advantage of ChatGPT’s ability to analyze and interpret the data and identify the most relevant and applicable attributes from the NPD framework.
Download our e-book on ChatGPT for Agile development for free!
New Product Development
The proposed framework provides a fast-track method to list out and examine the most favorable attributes a product should have.
For example, a practitioner can provide ChatGPT with a description of a new eco-friendly car-sharing service, and ChatGPT can suggest that the attributes “availability”, “reliability”, “affordability”, “eco-friendliness” and “brand and line extension” are most relevant and should be closely examined for product improvements.
This can be done by providing ChatGPT with a prompt such as:
Prompt
Based on the following product idea, generate the most important attributes to consider
Idea: A reusable and biodegradable straw
Answer
Based on this product idea of a reusable and biodegradable straw, the most important attributes to consider would be:
Eco-friendliness: This attribute is crucial as the product is marketed as being biodegradable and made from an environmentally-friendly material.
Durability: As the straw is reusable, it should be able to withstand regular use and cleaning.
Ease of cleaning: The straw should be easy to clean and maintain for continued use.
Portability: As it is a straw, it should be easy to carry and use on the go.
Affordability: The price of the straw should be accessible to target consumers who are looking for an eco-friendly alternative to plastic straws.
Esthetics: The design and appearance of the straw should be visually appealing to consumers.
Brand and Line extension: The product should align with the company’s overall brand and values, which is promoting eco-friendly products.
These are the most important attributes that should be considered in the development and production of this product idea. Other attributes such as safety and ease of use may also be important to consider, but may not be as critical as the attributes listed above.
Already pretty good. However, if you find these answers more general, you can always dig deeper. For example:
Prompt
can you generate specific examples of how each attribute can be achieved
Answer
Sure, here are some specific examples of how each attribute can be achieved for the reusable and biodegradable straw:
Eco-friendliness:
— Use bamboo as the primary material for the straw as it is a sustainable and renewable resource.
— Use natural dyes and pigments to color the straw.
— Use eco-friendly packaging materials.
— Implement recycling or composting programs for the straws.
Durability:
— Use high-quality bamboo material that is resistant to wear and tear.
— Use a thicker diameter for the straw to increase its strength.
— Use a coating or sealant to protect the straw from damage.
Ease of cleaning:
— Design the straw with a smooth surface to make it easy to clean.
— Provide a cleaning brush or tool with the straw.
— Create a dishwasher-safe version of the straw.
Portability:
— Design the straw to be lightweight and easy to carry.
— Create a carrying case or holder for the straw to make it more portable.
— Offer a keychain version of the straw that can be attached to bags or keys.
Affordability:
— Keep production costs low by using sustainable and locally sourced materials.
— Offer bulk purchasing options to lower the cost per straw.
— Look for ways to reduce packaging and shipping costs.
Esthetics:
— Use natural colors and patterns that are visually appealing.
— Design the straw to be aesthetically pleasing with a sleek and modern look.
— Use creative and attractive packaging to enhance the straw’s visual appeal.
Brand and Line extension:
— Align the straw’s design and packaging with the company’s overall brand and values.
— Create a line of eco-friendly products to complement the straw.
— Use a consistent branding strategy across all products to ensure consistency in the company’s mission.
Please note that these are some examples and it is recommended to conduct market research and testing to make sure the solutions align with the target market and the feasibility of the product.
You can go even further and ask ChatGPT to provide you with even more specific examples of each attribute and how it can be achieved.
Sky’s the limit.
Improvement of Existing Products
The NPD-ChatGPT Framework is not only limited to new products, it can also be applied to existing products to identify areas for improvement.
For example, a practitioner can provide ChatGPT with a description of a company’s current product line and ChatGPT can suggest which attributes from the NPD framework are not being fully utilized and should be emphasized in future product upgrades.
Prompt
Analyze our current product line of portable speakers and suggest which attributes from the NPD framework we are not fully utilizing and should be emphasized in future product upgrades.
Description: Our company, currently produces a line of portable speakers that are known for their high-quality sound and sleek design. Our speakers are Bluetooth-enabled and have a long battery life, making them perfect for outdoor events and on-the-go listening.
Answer
Based on the provided description, it can be inferred that our current product line of portable speakers is already utilizing the attributes of “quality sound” and “sleek design.”
However, there is no mention of the speakers being durable or resistant to damage, so the attribute of “Durability” should be emphasized in future product upgrades.
Additionally, there is no mention of any mistake-proofing features, so the attribute of “Poke yoke (mistake-proofing)” should also be emphasized in future product upgrades.
You can go further and ask:
Prompt
How can these be emphasized in future product upgrades?
Answer
To emphasize Durability, Poke yoke (mistake-proofing), Reliability, and Maintenance in future product upgrades, the following actions could be taken:
Durability:
Use more durable materials in the production of the speakers such as reinforced plastic or metal.
Improve the design to make the speakers more resistant to damage, such as adding rubberized edges or a shock-absorbing layer.
Offer protective cases or covers as accessories to help protect the speakers during transportation.
Poke yoke (mistake-proofing):
Implement design features that make it easy for users to properly connect and disconnect cables, such as color-coded connectors or a locking mechanism.
Include clear and easy-to-understand instructions in the user manual to prevent users from making common mistakes such as improperly charging the battery.
Add warning indicators or alarms to alert users when they are doing something wrong, such as a warning light when the battery is low.
Reliability:
Improve the quality control process by adding more rigorous testing procedures before releasing a new product.
Use higher-quality components and materials in the production process to increase the longevity and reliability of the speakers.
Offer regular software updates to improve performance and fix any bugs or issues.
Maintenance:
Create a more comprehensive user manual that offers troubleshooting tips and instructions for proper care and maintenance of the speakers.
Offer a warranty for the speakers and offer repair services for customers who experience issues.
Offer regular software updates to improve performance and fix any bugs or issues.
If you find these answers too general, you can dig even deeper. And ask ChatGPT to provide you with more specific examples for each one of the attributes. The possibilities are limitless.
One of the key benefits of the NPD-ChatGPT Framework is the speed and efficiency with which it can identify relevant attributes.
With the NPD-ChatGPT Framework, this process can be done quickly and with a high degree of accuracy. By utilizing the natural language processing capabilities of ChatGPT, the practitioner can be confident that the suggested attributes are based on real-world data and not just assumptions.
The NPD-ChatGPT Framework offers a fast, efficient, and data-driven approach to new product development.
By combining the comprehensive NPD framework with the natural language processing capabilities of ChatGPT, practitioners can quickly identify the most relevant and applicable attributes for their product or company and make informed decisions about product development and upgrades.
A 7-Step Process for Using the NPD-ChatGPT Framework
- Feed ChatGPT with information about the NPD framework
For this step, you should first feed ChatGPT with the 45 attributes and enough information for it to understand how the framework is used. - Define the product or company you want to analyze
You need to have a product or company you want to analyze. You can be more general in your description or you can be more specific and include details such as the product’s target market, unique selling points, and any specific goals you want to achieve through the analysis. - Provide ChatGPT with the description of the product or company
This description can include information about the product’s features, benefits, and any other relevant details. - Use the NPD framework to generate a list of attributes
ChatGPT will analyze the data provided in step 3 and identify the most relevant and applicable attributes from the NPD framework generated in step 1. - Review and ask ChatGPT to provide even more specific examples
Review the suggested attributes and ask ChatGPT to provide even more specific examples of how each attribute can be achieved. This will help you to better understand each attribute and how it can be integrated into the product. - Use the suggested attributes to develop or improve the product or company
Use the suggested attributes to develop or improve the product or company. This may involve making changes to the product’s design, features, or marketing strategy to better align with the identified attributes. - Continuously monitor and evaluate the product or company Continuously monitor and evaluate the product or company to ensure that it is meeting the identified attributes and achieving the desired goals. Make adjustments as necessary to ensure the product or company remains competitive and successful.
Key takeaways
- The NPD-ChatGPT Framework is a tool that combines the use of an NPD framework with the natural language processing capabilities of ChatGPT to identify the most relevant and applicable attributes for product development.
- The framework can be used for both new and existing products and can be applied in various contexts such as eco-friendly straws, portable solar generators, and smart recycling bins. The only limit is your imagination.
- The framework can help businesses quickly and efficiently identify areas for improvement and make strategic decisions about product development
- The framework can also be used to align products with a company’s overall brand and values
The NPD-ChatGPT Framework is a tool for businesses/individuals looking to develop new products or improve existing ones.
The framework combines the use of a comprehensive product development framework with the natural language processing capabilities of ChatGPT to help identify the most relevant and applicable attributes of a product or company. This allows businesses to quickly and efficiently identify areas for improvement and make strategic decisions about product development.
The framework can be applied to both new and existing products and can also be used to align products with a company’s overall brand and values. Businesses looking to improve their product development success rate should consider using the NPD-ChatGPT Framework.
Below you can find the link to the original paper of the NPD framework, which is also Open Access that permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.
Thank you for reading this article. If you found the information presented helpful and would like to stay updated on similar topics, please consider subscribing to our blog or leaving a comment. Likewise, if you have any remarks on how to improve our articles, please do not hesitate to share. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to sharing more valuable insights with you.
Support us by subscribing to our weekly newsletter: http://bit.ly/3J6ONuU Free e-book on using ChatGPT for Agile development: http://bit.ly/3wl56MI
Our Substack: https://bit.ly/3XpzbH6
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3kpEBmJ
