The Power of Product Platforms (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Alvin P. Lehnerd (Author) "Product-making enterprises-the ones that survive, that is-are evolutionary entities..." (more)
Key Phrases: Hewlett Packard, United States, World Wide Web (more...)

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

Review

Richard J. Egan

Chariman of the Board, EMC Corporation

The 'It's the Products, Stupid' signs which hang on EMC Corporation conference room and office walls demonstrate that we believe in the premise the authors have established so well in The Power of Product Platforms. I hope every American businessman (except my competitors) reads and understands their message.

Paul C Mugge

Director of Development Reengineering, IBM Corporation

A must for any company that wants to be truly effective with its Reengineering and Development investments. There is no greater return than derivative products generated from a well thought out platform strategy. Meyer and Lehnerd not only explain how to do this, but they provide excellent case studies across multiple industries.

Joel S. Birnbaum

Senior Vice President or Research and Development, Hewlett-Packard Comapany

An unusually clear assessment of the difficulties of product development at today's frenetic pace, where rapid changes in technology wreak havoc on companies who do not adjust rapidly to new customer needs and competitive threats. The authors provide a comprehensive and pragmatic prescription that will help both technologists and business people improve competitiveness.

Frank Merlotti

Former CEO, Steelcase

The most comprehensive and understandable work published to date on product development. The case studies not only help to explain the process, but emphasize the need to embrace this concept...now!

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.

Donald N. Frey

Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, Northwestern University; Former Ceo, Bell & Howell

I recommend this book to any manager in product development. Written in a pragmatic, easy to read style, it covers the basics with numerous and fascinating real cases.

Sir Christopher Lewinton

Chairman, TI Group PLC.

I fully endorse this book to every manager facing the most difficult challenge of successfully developing global product programs.

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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: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #194,581 in Books (See Bestsellers 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

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 A new follow up to the Power of Product Platforms coming...., March 16, 2000

By	Alvin Lehnerd "shadowstone group" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As the co-author of this book,using this text in teaching at 3 universities, Northeastern, Boston Univ. and U. Of Penn. in their graduate programs, I have come to realize the power of this book's teachings, its rules and tools for robust product platforms and derivative products, goods and services as well as software platforms.

We are now in the 4th edition and have published it in Spanish with a Barcelona publisher.

Companies that Marc Meyer and I consult with have found it extremely informative and useful.

Our follow up book will be an extension of this book, filled with rich examples of applications to goods, services, software and processes.

Included will be workshop materials for easy application to the users' unique products and business services.

Keep looking.......

Al Lehnerd

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

By A Customer

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.