New Product Introduction (NPI)

New Product Introduction (NPI) is the cross-functional process that takes an authorized program from concept through successful pilot production and ramp to volume. It is the bridge between portfolio planning (which decides what to build) and steady-state manufacturing (which builds it at scale), and the most common stage-gate framework on the engineering side of PLM.

Scope

NPI typically spans concept, feasibility, design, prototype builds, design verification and validation, pilot production, manufacturing readiness review, and ramp. It coordinates engineering, quality, supply chain, manufacturing, and marketing/operations, and is governed by gate reviews where each function signs that its deliverables are ready for the next phase. PLM hosts the BOMs, drawings, change orders, supplier qualifications, and verification evidence that travel through the gates.

Relationships (see sidebar)

• Realizes Time to Market, Platform Modularity, and Product Quality.
• Succeeds Product Portfolio Planning in the lifecycle order; precedes Manufacturing Execution at full ramp.
• Supported by logical capabilities such as the Requirements Traceability Matrix, PLM Data Model, AML, AVL, and DFM/DFA.