Product realization (also called launch, transition to production, piloting, or production ramp) starts when the product development team has a looks-like/works-like prototype, has defined the product geometry and material, has specified manufacturing methods, and is ready to produce at volume. Most groups believe that if the prototype works and there is a market, it will only take a few months to manufacture the product and start selling it. Whether the new product is a small widget or a complicated aircraft, many products arrive in the market later than anticipated. Many products also arrive with fewer features than planned or are over budget. There are invariably more complications and costs than the team initially predicted. By its very nature, product realization is an iterative, painful, but ultimately rewarding process. There are only two near-certainties in product realization: there will be more work than teams plan for, and almost nothing will be done perfectly the first time. Parts will not come out of the mold as expected, packaging will fail to protect products from breaking, and a supplier will not ship a critical part on time.

Product Realization: Going from One to a Million and this website are designed to help students, engineers, start-ups, and organizations navigate the complex and highly interrelated activities of getting a product into production. By understanding the road ahead with all its potholes and detours, teams will better anticipate potential problems before they significantly compromise their business plan. The lessons in this book were gleaned from experiences with over a hundred companies ranging from zero revenue start-ups to multi-billion-dollar companies.