Identification of Innovative Opportunities Based on Product Scenario Evolution

Abstract

Innovation is a key factor for product development. Identifying innovative opportunities is the first step in innovative product design. Traditional methods of identifying innovative opportunities, such as market surveys and brainstorming, are limited by product users’ and designers’ experiences and lack systematic approaches to generate breakthrough innovations. This paper proposes a method to identify innovative opportunities based on product scenario evolution. The method models a product scenario based on product scenario elements, states, and behaviors. A Type II hierarchical function model is constructed based on the transformation and abstraction hierarchy of the product function model to identify target elements for the scenario evolution. Based on the theory of basic element extension and needs evolution characteristics, the method of extending target scenario elements is proposed. Based on the new scenario element sets and their impact, diffusion, identification, and evaluation methods are proposed for innovation opportunities. Potential opportunities are explored for product innovation from a scenario evolutionary perspective, which updates knowledge and technology reserves and finds new market opportunities for industries. The feasibility and effectiveness of the method are verified using the innovative design of a polyethylene (PE) pipeline hot-melt welding machine.