The term indicates a systematic approach to design that incorporates specific considerations or objectives from the outset. This methodology aims to optimize a product or system for a particular attribute, such as manufacturability, testability, assembly, sustainability, or a combination thereof. For example, designing a product with ease of maintenance in mind, ensuring that components are readily accessible and replaceable, exemplifies this targeted design philosophy.
Adopting this focused design strategy yields numerous advantages. It can lead to reduced production costs, improved product quality, enhanced user experience, and shortened development cycles. Historically, its application has evolved from addressing singular aspects like manufacturability to encompassing broader concerns such as environmental impact and end-of-life management, reflecting an increasing emphasis on holistic product lifecycle considerations.