Ontology- and function-based technology model for decision making in new product development

One of the key factors for a successful product development is the early integration of technologies in the innovation process. Especially emerging technologies, as e.g. nanotechnologies, pose a wide range of new functionalities and therefore high potentials for future products. To identify, which technological knowledge meet the product requirements in the early stages of the product development, it is necessary to create a connection between those two domains. This connection is realized by a function-based approach and provides product developer a systematic access to fitting technological solutions. By using an ontology-based model for the technology domain, it is possible to interrelate all the relevant aspects (functionalities, material, structures, sizes, etc. as well as corresponding experts and research institutions) and therefore provide a comprehensive and logically connected data pool for decision making. The approach presented in this chapter is especially tailored for the particular needs of new product developer. The underlying IT support allows fats and extensive search as well as the extraction of the adequate solutions within this data pool for product development. The implementation and combination with specific product requirements as well as the decision making process will be shown using the example of nanotechnology.