Process Validation: Towards the Application of E-DI in Real Design Practice

Process validation is Phase 4 of the process research methodology (see Fig. 5.1); it aims to validate the process with a wider audience (Platts, International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 4–17, 1993; Moultrie et al., Journal of Product Innovation Management, 335–368, 2007). In this book, the concept of ‘wider audience’ refers to the involvement of professionals with different skills (e.g., designers, marketers, engineers, and communication specialists) that represent the typical profile of an interdisciplinary product design and development team in real design practice. The validation of the process was carried out with three field studies applying beta type test (Chiesa et al., Journal of Product Innovation Management: An International Publication of the Product Development & Management Association, 105–136, 1996; Cooper and Schindler, Business research methods. McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2013).