Consequently, we can support clients with a more structured approach to NPD, which can help secure the most critical aspects – namely food safety and legal compliance – while streamlining their broader product and packaging development processes. This all helps to achieve reduced trial repetitions, more efficient resource use, and a higher percentage of successful product launches.
Step 1: NPD Process Audit
The process begins with a technical audit of the client’s current NPD framework. Using a methodology similar to that of a formal audit, we review existing documentation and process flowcharts to define the scope of a site visit.
This on-site visit (or remote engagement via Teams if necessary) includes:
- Cross-functional interviews: Conducted individually with key stakeholders from each function to uncover pain points, risks, and potential improvements.
- Process mapping: Leveraging Lean Six Sigma techniques to map out the current NPD process, identifying value-adding and non-value-adding activities.
Step 2: Analysis and Recommendations
Following the interviews and process mapping, we summarise the findings and develop key recommendations for the client. A closing meeting is then held with the client’s team to review initial insights and align on next steps. A formal report is delivered within two weeks, detailing the findings and a roadmap for process improvements.
Benefits
This structured yet flexible approach to NPD helps ensure:
- Early identification and mitigation of risks related to food safety and compliance.
- Streamlined development cycles with reduced waste and inefficiencies.
- Improved cross-functional alignment and role clarity.
- Increased success rate of product launches.
While conducting this work on-site is ideal for quality interactions during interviews and workshops, the approach can be adapted to remote execution where needed, as it does not require production facility inspections.
