MGPP – Multi Generational Product Planning

Multi Generational Product Planning (MGPP) is a lifecycle. As the name suggests, it is planning for multiple generations of products and services, including technology. MGPP is a powerful tool used during the Define part of DMADV methodology, at which stage the scope of the project is determined. This is the stage of identifying what you are designing, and why are you designing it. By using this critical tool, you can define scope of design of the present product/service, and also plan for long-term generations of such products/services. In addition, you can plan product/service release series and have a competitive edge over others.

The purpose of MGPP may appear ‘defensive’ as it is aimed at preparations for future. But in reality, MGPP has many characteristics that are ‘offensive’:

MGPP has a long-term focus on business and on the management
It increases the speed at which products/services are brought to market
It reduces the developmental risks
It allows changes to the present design
It helps products, services, or processes to update along with the market change
It possesses the characteristics of strategy for leadership

MGPP can be divided into four generations as below:

Generation I - Checking and filling up the market segments which do not contain your product
Generation II - Analyzing needs of market and bringing in your products to newly targeted markets
Generation III - Passing on the benefits in productivity to customers, and gaining technical leadership, competitive edge, etc.
Generation IV - (This is left for your decision)

You have to set a goal which is long-term, prior to moving on to your MGPP. MGPP is very useful in achieving hard goals, too. MGPP is like deciding to plan a world-changing event. You have to identify and evaluate the total capabilities that you have for achieving the goal at each Generation part. If you already know the technology, then there is no problem. If you have lesser capabilities, then you can execute DMAIC methodology for gaining them. On the other hand, if you completely do not have the capabilities, then it is necessary to execute DFSS methodology for designing the required capabilities.

By following these steps, you have clear idea of your vision and a well-defined path to achieve it with scoped projects. If it is found that a part of the project scope may have some unfavorable impact, then it is possible to check with MGPP and postpone that capability for later product generation. Similarly, if there is some favorable opportunity, then MGPP can be utilized to determine whether there is the needed capacity to make use of that opportunity to achieve the set goal.