Process development: a theoretical framework

Abstract

There have already been a number of review articles that focus on product development, but none on process development. Process development is technically difficult, time-critical and competitively important, thus worth being explored as a distinct unit of analysis. This paper develops a theoretical framework to fill this gap in knowledge based on a comprehensive literature review. Five objectives for process development are summarised to align with the goal of product realisation, and 12 enablers (including intra-functional enablers, inter-functional enablers, and learning enablers) are identified and discussed. The authors first locate process development in the product realisation process (including product design, process design, process execution and process improvement) and draw necessary parallel factors between product design and process design as a foundation. Then the attributes of all relevant literature are organised and general principles for successful performance of development projects are used to infer the enablers. The developed framework offers opportunities to further verify the new enablers and theoretical links in future studies. One implication is that process development should be viewed as a strategic function for competitive edge and as such specific measures should be set to create an environment that is conducive to successful performance.