Sustainable product development strategies: business planning and performance implications

Manufacturing firms are under many financial and competitive pressures that focus attention on the performance of their manufacturing processes. In this article the opportunities for improving the environmental impact of products within the constraints of existing manufacturing infrastructure are examined. Approaches that support sustainability in two aspects are proposed; first, the provision of products to the users in ways which extend the product life; and second, manufacturing approaches that reduce resource usage. This article outlines three different sustainable development strategies for different product types and describes the cost implications for manufacturers across the life cycle. The performance measures affected by these strategies are examined, drawing on product development case studies from a number of high technology sectors to highlight the different approaches taken. The results are intended to aid manufacturers during the earliest stages of business planning to consider alternative product development approaches that are more sustainable.