This session will provide an overview of the Toyota Product Design Process and will focus specifically on those aspects of Toyota’s system that make it truly unique. The session will not concentrate on the mechanics of how Toyota performs product design so much as the "paradigms" that the automaker uses and the impact of these paradigms on corporate culture.

Who Should Attend:

Anyone interested in rapid product realization and concurrent engineering. Anyone interested in learning about and pursuing collaborative R&D opportunities in these areas.

Tutorial Agenda:

8:00 am – 9:45 am
Toyota Product Development Process
Dr. Allen Ward, President, Ward Synthesis

Objectives:

1. Review the Toyota Product Design Process,
2. Highlight and emphasize that the key to successful rapid product realization is accomplished by shifting the design paradigms and thereby changing corporate culture,
3. Explore collaborative opportunities that surround this innovative product design process.

Background:

Toyota’s "paradigms," also known as the "Second Toyota Paradox," is a totally different way of thinking—one that is changing the face of rapid product realization and concurrent engineering. This paradox has enabled Toyota to develop its products in half the time, achieve a higher level of quality and attain four times the engineering productivity of its nearest competitor.

Technique:

During the session, Dr. Ward will provide attendees with a unique glimpse of this revolutionary system. He will elaborate on those features of Toyota’s Product Design Process that set it apart from any other process being employed today.

Session Contact: Mike Gnam - 734-995-4971, mike.gnam@ncms.org