Sustainability aspects in a Stage-GateŽ model for product development
 

It is only possible to give some indications on resource demands for setting up and maintain this procedure. There are great variations depending on type of company and product  

The first "one time investment" to include sustainability aspects into your own Stage-GateŽ model should be a relatively limited working task, since this is more a question of achieving a management commitment.  

The second "one time investment" to build up a supporting toolbox is more resource demanding. You could however use the DANTES toolbox (at www.dantes.info) for a quick start. Nevertheless, you need to allocate resources to set up your own toolbox and supporting organization. The most critical aspect here is to decide how to maintain this support system on a long-term basis.  

The resource demand for implementation of sustainability aspects in each product development project can vary much, from hours/days to several weeks/month of work depending on type of product.  

It is easy to underestimate the calendar time needed for the implementation process.  

Education programs have to be set up since sustainability issues is a new competence area for many of those involved in product development.  

Access to easy to use and cost-efficient software tools as well as personnel support is critical.  

In practice, energy and resource efficiency as well as waste minimization are also economic issues. Environmental considerations early in the product development cycle could therefore offer more competitive and sustainable products to the market. 

Business value 
Implementation of sustainability aspects and requirements in product development projects through a Stage-GateŽ model supports industry in developing safe, energy- and resource efficient products. This could significantly increase the customer value for a product provided that the benefits are communicated to the customers in a credible and understandable way.

See also " Managing Environmental Aspects in Product Development -The ABB Experience"

Stage-Gate is a trademark of Innovation Management U3