A Pattern-Based Approach to the Development of Frugal Innovations

Abstract

The economic rise of emerging markets induces a rapid growth of theglobal middle class. This new mass market demands products and servicesadapted to the needs of the local population - so called ``frugalinnovations{''}. Engineers often face similar challenges whiledeveloping products and services for these markets, and therefore maydevelop similar solutions. By the abstraction of these solutions totransferrable solution patterns, the efficiency of the developmentprocess could be increased. In this article, we introduce a systematicapproach to develop a pattern system for frugal innovations. Based on 29selected frugal innovations, we derived the problems that led to thedevelopment of the analyzed frugal innovations. By categorizing theseproblems, we deduced six problem categories: education, environment,culture, infrastructure, regulation, and finance. We stripped down thesolutions to these problems to their core principles, and in oursubsequent analysis, we identified 56 solution patterns. Moreover, weanalyzed the relationships between the abstracted solution patterns,problem areas, and frugal innovations. By using a pattern-basedapproach, the efficiency of the product development process could beimproved significantly. As well, patterns may generate new impetus andincrease creativity.