Definition of the pre-development process in a complex environment

This thesis deals with the question, how a pre-development process for technology development could look like. The thesis was written in a company as project, this company is used as a case company. Interviews with relevant employees have been made to analyze the current pre-development process. The current process including responsibilities, goals of pre-development in the company and difficulties are described.The theoretical framework includes a description of the main pre-development models. The first one is the stage gate model, which includes pre-development in the product development process. All stages and gates are clear defined and a given result is expected. The second model, the new concept development (NCD) model is more theoretical it provides methods, tools and techniques for the different steps in pre-development. The (NCD) model defines pre-development as an independent process. Both models are compared to each other.Based on the results of the interviews and the literature review a suggestion for a new pre-development process model is given. This model consists of six steps: Idea collection, idea selection, Concept plan, run pre-development research, evaluating results and use results for new products. The several steps are described in detail and some helpful tools for different activities during the steps are recommended and described. Possible problems and difficulties are also discussed.