Analyze Phase

In this phase, typically the proposed process or product is analyzed and studied to determine whether there are better ways to achieve the desired results.  The customer information captured is translated into measurable design performance or function requirements. The requirements can be converted into system, sub-system, and component level design requirements.

A quality function deployment (QFD) tool, the House of Quality (HoQ), is used to translate customer needs into engineering specifications. This phase includes concept development and selection tools such as a function tree, concept form development(morphology), functional analysis, and HoQ. It also includes a final project plan developed to further breakdown the work tasks and timeline (Gantt chart). The Final Design is selected.