Main Parameters of Value (MPV) Analysis: Where MPV Candidates Come From

Identifying the right MPV to implement in a new product is critical in any new product development (NPD) project and in projects related to Adjacent Markets Identification (AMI). One of the most challenging tasks in this process is to find MPV candidates from which to select the right MPV during the MPV analysis. In this paper the authors summarize the tools used for sourcing MPV candidates and evaluate the practical importance and contribution of each of these tools. This evaluation is based on an analysis of actual TRIZ NPD and AMI projects in which the authors were involved. The tools considered in this research are Function Analysis, Patent Analysis, Trends of Engineering System Evolution (TESE) analysis, Property Analysis and Voice of the Customer (VOC). The results of the research show that not all of these tools are equally important in various types of projects, which makes it possible to focus an MPV analysis on the most important ones. By using fewer and more focused tools, the existing procedure for MPV analysis will be faster and easier to perform, which in turn will make NPD and AMI projects more efficient.