//2.4-Product life cycle

Question 1

What is the product life cycle

Answer 1

-the introduction, evolution/growth, maturity, decline and replacement cycle of products
-using the PLC comapnies chart product sales from introcution to withdrawal
-important they plan the decline and replacement stage carefully

Question 2

Explain the stages of the product life cycle

Answer 2

-introduction- product launched with appropriate publicity following market research and sales start to take off
-growth- advertising helps product sales to grow as consumers move to this product from previous ones
-maturity- important to keep the product in thid period of peaj sales as long as possible to
-decline- consumers who wish to buy will have done so and product is eventuall withdrawn
-replacement- updated, improved version is released to maintain sales

Question 3

Redefining and redeveloping products- examples of products employing extension strategies to maintain sales

Answer 3

-smartphones e.g. Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy
-the Toyota Corolla, with has been redesigned 11 times in 50 years

Question 4

Redefining and developing products- demand pull

Answer 4

-product designers often respons to the ‘demand pull’ of consumers for desirable features
-examples include improved battery life in a smartphone

Question 5

Redefining and developing products- technology push

Answer 5

-research and development costs lead to the technology push (new dev not lways pop) of new ideas by companies
-consumers need to be ‘sold’ the merits of new ideas ad features
-Google failed to convince consumer that the ‘Google Glass’ head-mounted computer device was worth the expense but there were concerns over safety

Question 6

Redefining and developing products- planned obsolescence

Answer 6

-this is the design and manufacture of products requiring replacement on a regular basis
-factors might include software incompatibility or unavailability of spare parts
-the Modular and upgreadeable Fairphone is an example of the search for a more customer friednly and sustainable approach

Question 7

Redefining and developing products- evolution of products

Answer 7

-gradual change due to new technologies, manufacturing methods, materials etc
-research and developing departments explore and develop new ideas
-research and development is expensive- Apple spent $2.5 billion in 2016

Question 8

tv evolutionary features

Answer 8

-LED
HDR
UHD
curved screen

Question 9

SLR camera eevolutionary features

Answer 9

WIFI conection
higher pixel count
multiple cards
water resistance