PAGE TWO: Specification

SPECIFICATION

Function: Function is important as without a function the product has no purpose and will be useless; and will not appeal to the customer.  The storage box must also be a minimum size to accommodate the object(s) intended to be stored in it. A special feature may improve the functionality of the storage box; or it could be a surprise feature, which the consumer did not initially realise that it was included in the storage box. This surprise feature might then encourage you to buy another storage box. Only 1/6 customers would definitely not like a special feature; such as pockets, locks and mirrors.  For this reason my product will include a special feature. Another Functional requirement includes that the product must not break, this includes the ability to withstand a certain load and this may then determine the use of certain materials; for example Balsa Wood may be cheap, however it might have the strength required for the storage box.

 

Safety: Safety is important as if the product is not safe then customers will not buy the product and the product will not meet any safety regulations; you (the company) could also be sued.

 

Customer: The customer is important as you have to have a target market to know the cost and therefore the material, size and also function of the product.  Due to the consumer profiles I now know that the product will be aimed at the 15-20 year old age bracket as they would be prepared to spend £20-25 and I would be able to use wood (if the design is appropriate) as 5/6 consumer asked choose wood.

 

Cost: The cost of the product has to be appropriate for the target market as if it is too expensive no consumer will buy the product.  The cost is also important as it has to be appropriate for the material used. The cost also relies upon the labour costs and fixed costs such as the price of tools and factory space; if the volume of storage boxes being produced is low, then the materials, the factory size and tools available to both use and buy will differ.

 

Aesthetics: The aesthetics of the product are important as if the product doesn’t look appealing to the target market, the target market will not buy the product. The storage box must also be of a high quality; it must have an atheistic quality as well as a high functional quality, for example the storage box must have aesthetically pleasing joinery, however the strength of those joints must not be compromised by this.

 

Materials: Materials are important as they determine the final retail price.  Due to the questionnaire I know that wood was the most popular choice for 5/6 of the consumers asked and that the price range of £2-25 would allow the product (if necessary) to be made out of pine or more suitably Balsa, MDF or other relatively low cost woods.

 

Size: The size is important as it will determine what the consumer will be able to store and what the final costs will be; due to my questionnaire.  I know that the product will be a medium size.

 

Environment: The environment in which the product will be stored and used is important as it affects the size of the product and also is the material used needs to be waterproof

 

Value: The storage box will have no value if it doesn’t have a function; the cost also relies on the function of the storage box.

Specification points	Priority (one- most important to eight- least important)
Aesthetics	5
Size	7
Safety	2
Consumer	3
Cost	4
Function	1
Material	6
Environment	8