User-centered design as a risk management tool in new technology product development
Terrance M. Skelton, Hans J. Thamhain · 2005
This three-year field study examines the role of user- centered design as a risk management tool for new product developments in technology-based environments. The findings show the critical importance of involving users in the risk management process throughout the development cycle. Early validation of product feasibility and usability is especially important for minimizing costly design iterations and disappointments in the user environment. The study suggests that the integration of product usability and user-centered product development methods with conventional product development processes improves the transparency and interactions between product development and user organization. It also requires a considerable transformation of the product development process as we know it today.