1. Proposed frame work for innovation for the use by SMEs
Ravi Lingannavar , Pradeep Yammiyavar 
Department of Design, IIT Guwahati, India
  { r.lingannavar,
Table 1.Showing the tools and weights as per the criteria being proposed in this study
Abstract
SMEs contribute to the economic growth to a large extent both in developed and developing countries. However, SMEs are slower to adopt innovation practices. An informal analysis after visiting a few SMEs it would become evident that the methods, practices and tools being used by SME’s are outdated. Having enormous potential and capability to enhance the quality of products in terms of cost, material, ergonomics, aesthetics, functionality etc. SMEs are not focusing on the need for innovation in line with the India’s strategy for ‘make in India’ thrust. There is need of tailor made method/ tools which can be best suited for SMEs that are in need of design as practicing tool. Our current study is the first step towards understanding of the available tools and techniques in product design with a frame work. The proposed frame work is expected to aid SME’s to quickly adopt new Design Thinking paradigm.
Introduction
Innovation is introducing a new product or modifications brought to an existing product; A new process of innovation in an industry; discovery of a new market; developing new sources of supply with raw materials; other changes in the organization by Joseph Schumpeter
Product Innovation is the development of a new or improved product in any firm.
Process Innovation involves the development of a new manufacturing process such as 3d printing.
Organizational Innovation will be new venture division; a new internal intelligence system; introduction of a new auditing procedure.
Management Innovation are consisting of total quality management, six sigma tools, reengineering and value engineering.
Production Innovation quality circles; just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing systems; new production planning software viz ERP, PERT CPM.
Marketing Innovation includes new sales, Delivery innovations in sales, market approaches, e.g. direct marketing, telemarketing, E-commerce etc.
Service Innovation internet-based financial services.
Table 2.Showing Comparison and disparity amongst the different
tools and techniques used in product design
Aspects
TOOLs
Idea generator
Idea pattern
Usability/User centric
Knowledge base need
Relevance/ to MSMEs
Efficiency
of the tool
Innovation competency
Operating/Solution time
Quality of Innovation Idea
Implemented at
Applicability/Idea into reality(Practice)
Quality function deployment(QFD )
Usually by group
Structured translates actual needs
Yes
Data base of needs is required
Very good
Systematic building blocks of functions
Average
Usually get feasible idea based on translated data
Initial stage of NPD or redesigning of product
Easy to workout
Fishbone diagram
Thinks in all direction No
Systematic hierarchical set of factors for causes
Usually get feasible cause and solution
Initial stage of NPD
Value engineering(VA)
Structured improves value addition of the product
Analyze, understand detail of specific situation
It gives the improved solution
Any stage of PD
Easy to practice
TRIZ
Primarily individual
Stepwise scientific, logical
Yes consider at initial stage
Powerful knowledge base needed
Follow the rules for innovation
Usually can get a perfect idea based on the analysis
Initial to end stage of product design
Easy to implement as it is scientific
5W1H
To the aspects of problem
Good
Systematic Questions
Less
Usually find the main conflicts
Initial stage of Product design
Depends on type of MSME
SCAMPER
Group thinking
Systematic Questions, divergence thinking
Usually finds the solutions
Initial stage of PD
Relatively not Easy to implement
PDCA
Structured and improves existing product
It is continuous repetitive process
More (repetitive)
Better solution every time
Design structure matrix
Usually group thinking
Systematic building blocks of matrix
More
Usually finds the feasible solutions
Not in PD stage
Relatively not Easy to practice
Literature study of available tools leads to identify the tools which are having potential to bring innovation in
Indian SMEs, easily adoptable were identified
Further a comparison disparity table is constructed over the aspects influencing innovation vs identified tools
Results and Conclusion
Methodology
Proposed model of innovation
Product design Cycle and tools used in those phases at a glance
It is observed that all aspects that influence innovation are not present in single tool. Therefore, there is a need for a combinatory approach if one has to come up with a frame work for innovation specific to SME’s.
We propose a model which will help SMEs to bring innovation in product design as shown below
Idea generation
Idea screening
Concept developing and testing
Business analysis
Product development
Market testing and commercialization
Idea generation and Idea screening
K J Analysis[10], Brainstorming [8,9,10], [13], Brain drawing, Brain writing, Fishbone diagram, Delphi method[8], [10], Breakdown, Lateral thinking, Crowd slipping, How-How diagram, 5W2H [13], Chunking, TRIZ-Contradiction analysis, Value Engineering[9], Mind mapping [9], Concept screening, Story board, SWOT analysis [10], Positive and negatives, SCAMPER[13]
Identify customer needs (User and Usability)
QFD [8,9,10], [14,15], Kano model, Pugh matrix, Surveys Focus groups [8], [10], [12], On job/ Usage observations Interviews, Gathering customer information [9], internal surveys [9]Customer complaints, Customer sacrifice gap
Concept development and testing
Concept screening matrix [10], Function Diagram, Concept combination tables, Decision matrix [12], Concept scoring matrix [8], Concept description sketches, Concept classification trees [9]
Product Development
(Product specification, System level design, Detail design, processes )
Specification lists, Needs metrics-matrix [15], Benchmarking charts, Bill of materials, Prototyping, Geometric layout, Assembly drawings, Material selection, Design for manufacturing [14], Design for assembly, FMEA [9], [12], Design for X [9], PHA, DFE [12], [15], Taguchi methods, Pokayoka, Value engineering/ analysis [9], Design Audit Control chart1,2,3, Quality cost audit, PDCA[5],[23], PDM, JIT [15]
Project management and planning
Design structure matrix [14], CPM/PERT, Activity diagram, Gantt Chart, Four field analysis [14], Estimation [10], Tree Diagram, Risk analysis, How-How diagram, Postmortem project report Matrix diagram [13], Checklists, Potential probe analysis, CAD/CAE/CAM [14,15]
Root cause analysis/ Cause and effect
Fishbone diagram[5], [9], [13], Why-why diagram, Fault tree analysis, FMEA[9], Pareto charts [16], Force field analysis [14], Scatter plot, Is-Is not matrix
Decision making/Evaluation
Concept screening, Decision tree, Criteria filtering, Estimation, Swap-sort, Important -urgency map, Matrix diagram [13], Prioritization matrix, Tree diagram, Voting/ Multi voting
Data analysis
Box plot, Check sheet [16], Histogram, Control chart, [16] DOE, Pareto1 2 3[5], Scatter diagram 1 2[5], Radar chart, Z chart, Regression analysis, Normal probability plot, Sampling, Performance index
The current study focused on evaluating tools and techniques used in product design.
Out of available, few tools and techniques have been identified as a result of evaluating and mapping their suitability to MSMEs with the broad aim of strengthening Design Thinking.
Heuristic evaluation led to identifying those techniques that are easily adaptable and suitable for Indian MSME
The ongoing study will help the MSME people, designers, in product design and development. Identified tools have potential to bring innovation.
This compilation & review of tools and techniques is intended to be developed further into an Innovation Decision matrix specifically aimed for use by MSMEs for designing their products.