Our Process

Our phased approach provides a roadmap to
take new technology from idea to reality.

Business Strategy & Planning

This initial phase of the project lays the groundwork for an exceptional product development cycle ensuring superior results. In this phase we evaluate the documentation and technology of the project and develop the project plan. The project plan guides our progress throughout the project, moving the idea from the research laboratory into the marketplace.
This phase may include:

  • Project Plan
  • Technology Assessment
  • Documentation Assessment
  • Project Planning
  • Risk and Feasibility Planning
  • Regulatory Path

Research & Definition

It is essential to research the specific functional and emotional needs of the end-users with every new project. Contextual observation and technology immersion early in the project helps us analyze both our client’s core competencies and the end users’ expectations and unfulfilled needs. We tailor our research protocol to fit our client’s needs and to unveil insights from the user.
This phase may include:

  • Contextual Research
  • Design Inputs and Requirements Definition
  • Human Factors Requirements
  • Initial Concept Ideation

Design & Development

Once we understand the goals, user needs, and product requirements, we begin the design and development phase. Our award-winning designers, in search of the most appropriate solutions, keep fluid creativity and innovation alive throughout concept ideation. Typical activities in this phase include rapid sketching and rendering. These visual representations of concepts facilitate brainstorms, pin-ups, and design reviews. Sketches and models are also created to support
ergonomic and aesthetic evaluations. HSD’s Engineering team is involved early in the design process
to help provide a proof of concept and guarantee design for manufacturability.

This phase may include:

  • Proof of Concept
  • System Architecture
  • Design & Engineering
  • Applied Human Factors
  • Formative Usability Evaluations
  • Design Outputs
HSD’s User Experience team plans and conducts Formative Studies early in the development process to identify potential issues and to support decision making throughout the project. Formative Studies may be conducted multiple times during development to ensure the device meets user requirements and to ensure the best possible user interaction with the device. Formative Studies can include heuristic evaluations, user interviews, or low-fidelity prototype testing. A final pre-validation Formative Evaluation with a working prototype is recommended for most medical devices since the results may predict the outcome of a Summative Evaluation required in the Validation phase.

Although we have already integrated CAD software tools in the development process, our Mechanical Engineers begin the generation of detailed parts and the database used for tooling and manufacturing in the development phase. Typically, we issue a final control database for use in the prototype and validation phase.

Realization

Based on our years of experience, we have access to multiple manufacturing resources and can leverage this expertise specifically for our clients. In the Realization phase, we review pre-production parts against final specification requirements through a first article review process. For final quality assurance, it is typically necessary to update the database per specific manufacturing requirements. Once updated, the final database is transferred to manufacturing or directly to the client.
This phase may include:

  • Design Transfer
  • Manufacturing Liaison
  • Production Ramp
  • Market Launch