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Goldsmith Technology Commercialization Model

Step 11: Pre-Production Prototype

The Pre-Production Prototype step will result in knowledge about the manufacturability of the product, the manufacturing processes, maintainability and reliability, material and component lists, plans for field support, installation and production costs, safety and environmental factors, time schedules, and regulatory requirements.

If it is a service product, the pre-production prototype will result in knowledge about the systems requirements, resource allocations, integration procedures, interoperability features, and customization needs. Once the assumptions are finally tested and validated, full production is launched and/or services are delivered.

Definition: The process of preparing the product for introduction into the marketplace.

Objective: The objective of the pre-production prototype is to develop the manufacturing processes and techniques required to produce the product.

Product: The product of this activity is a pre-production prototype or process.

Technical Activities

During the pre-production prototype step the following activities must be completed:

  • Develop a pre-production prototype
  • Determine pre-production processes
  • Select final product materials and components
  • Select manufacturing procedures, equipment, and tools
  • Assess specification conformance
  • Test product performance, reliability, and quality
  • Design a field support system
  • Calculate full production costs

Milestones: A limited production

Funding Sources: Angel investors, Debt (seed round)

Technical Information: The pre-production prototype step will usually result in knowledge about the manufacture-ability of the product, the manufacturing processes, maintainability and reliability, material and component lists, plans for field support, installation and production costs, safety and environmental factors, time schedules, and regulatory requirements.

Key Questions

Do you have a production prototype of the product?
Have you conducted pilot production?
Have you selected the manufacturing process?
Have you selected the manufacturing equipment?
Have you conducted full scale production?
Do you have a commercial-level design?
Do you have quality control procedures?
Have you produced sufficient quantities for market?