The Power of Product Platforms [Hardcover]

Marc H. Meyer (Author), Alvin P. Lehnerd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 5, 1997

Drawing on in-depth case examples from Black & Decker, Hewlett-Packard, and others, this guide demonstrates how to build entire families of products from a single "platform" of common product structures, technologies, and automated product processes. This guide explains how this strategy spearheads a more advanced, second-generation product platform.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Francis P. Lucier Former Chairman and CEO, Black & Decker A must read for the CEO who wants to do better. This book provides a pragmatic track for product planning that pays off. -- Review

About the Author

Marc H. Meyer is Associate Professor of Management at Northeastern University's College of Business Administration, Research Director of the College's Center for Technology Management, and has been a Visiting Associate Professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Meyer is also a co-founder of three software companies and consults actively to leading manufacturers in high-tech industries.

Alvin P. Lehnerd has held executive positions at Black & Decker, Sunbeam, and Steelcase. He has led several well-known developments and innovations resulting in new product successes, including Black & Decker's Dustbuster, Sunbeam's first electronic auto-shut off and global iron product lines, and the complete redesign on Black & Decker's double insulated consumer power tools. He teaches at Northeastern University, University of Pennsylvania, and at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Free Press (March 5, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684825805
• ISBN-13: 978-0684825809
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #941,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars must read for product architect, July 13, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Power of Product Platforms (Hardcover)

If you are senior RD, then it's the book for you, especially in hardware system industry. I personally appreciate the section of composite design and the concept of product platform. It provide general guide to learn from competitor and way to surpass them.
Software portion is not recommended since the example it provide is not solid enough to work out the argument to apply the same concept to software. However, you may workout your ideas from original platform concept in software planning. Maybe. It remain as a question to me until now.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book, easy to read, to the point, insightful, February 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Power of Product Platforms (Hardcover)

After taking a course at Northeastern University taught by Marc Meyers I decided to read his books. He is very forward thinking and offers ideas coupled with real-world experiences. This book is a must read, right up there with The Goal. As a supply-chain consultant, I give this book to my clients to read.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read, September 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Power of Product Platforms (Hardcover)

This book changed how I approach product design. It focuses on designs that will succeed in the market place. It's not a book specifically on designing for a market, but how a set of systems built on a common platform will allow you to compete in multiple markets at the same time. Meyer and Lehnerd combine marketing, manufacturing, design and strategy. It's loaded with great examples from companies like Black and Decker and EMC. Also impressive is that the authors show how apply platform principles in software and service markets as well as traditional manufacturing