ABSTRACT
Often, new products are not necessarily novel concepts. They can be line extensions or short-run promotions. Whatever the circumstances, there is typically good energy and excitement associated with reaching this gate of product development. Enthusiasm (plus scheduling pressures) drives the design team to push forward and complete the detailed design and enter into production. Before rushing into finishing the detailed design and at the time when a concept is selected, it is prudent to ask what may go wrong; either in manufacturing, use, or even during service. Failure to ascertain design pitfalls often leads to low production yields, excessive field returns, long service turnaround times, and ultimately dissatisfied customers. In this chapter, the design team is encouraged to conduct an early DFMEA, ask where the risks lay and to mitigate them.
