The PETRA Framework
2020-2022, Germany
Soft Skills:
Project Management, Leadership, Cross-functional Team Collaboration, Problem-Solving, Effective Communication
Tools:
Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office, GitLab, Trello
Technical Skills:
CAD Modeling, Prototyping, Systems Design, UX Design, Data Analysis
Tools:
Fusion 360, R, NumPy, MATLAB
Description
The PETRA framework represents an innovative approach tailored for start-ups navigating the complex early stages of product development. This framework is designed to streamline the transformation of a core idea into a marketable product, with a particular emphasis on the efficient use of limited resources during prototyping. PETRA introduces a multi-dimensional prototyping matrix that categorizes activities by purpose and lens, a cyclical process for planning, execution, testing, reflection, and assimilation, as well as a modified Kanban board—dubbed Protoban—for enhanced project management. This structured yet flexible methodology was applied to different start-ups focused on creating minimal viable products, demonstrating PETRA's capacity to clarify developmental priorities and milestones at critical junctures.
PETRA's holistic approach facilitated a balanced progression through different Innovation Lenses, ensuring that both the product's unique selling proposition (USP) and the features of the minimum viable product (MVP) were given due consideration. The Prototyping Matrix, a cornerstone of the framework, provided unambiguous directives for the team, guiding the product direction with objective measures of progress. This clarity of purpose, combined with the framework's emphasis on team dynamics and efficient resource allocation, exemplifies PETRA's capacity to streamline the fuzzy front-end of start-up product development.
It is promoted as a team-centric tool for novice teams for early-stage mechatronic product development and promotes the framework that guides your development from idea to proof-of-concept through an unambiguous and intuitive process by putting your team at the center. You only need an idea and team to get started with PETRA.
Results
The team-centric planning approach empowered each member, aligning their efforts with the overall product vision. Agility was achieved through a cycle of rapid prototyping, which not only accelerated the validation of design concepts but also instilled a culture of quick adaptation to new insights.
The intuitive nature of the tools and interfaces within PETRA ensured that even novice team members could contribute meaningfully to the product development process. Backed by data-driven metrics, the team could track their progress and identify areas for improvement, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.
The holistic progression through the project was guided by the Prototyping Matrix, which provided clear and unambiguous directives. This allowed the teams to maintain focus on both the innovation required to distinguish their product in the market and the practical steps needed to realize an MVP. This results in well-rounded prototypes that not only meet the start-up's ambitious goals but also resonate with market needs, setting a solid foundation for future iterations and commercial success.
Publications:
Pacheco, Nuno Miguel Martins, Anand Vazhapilli Sureshbabu, Masaru Charles Nürnberger, Laura Isabel Durán Noy, and Markus Zimmermann. "A fuzzy front-end product development framework for start-ups." Proceedings of the Design Society 1 (2021): 111-120.
Martins Pacheco, Nuno Miguel, Anand Vazhapilli Sureshbabu, and Markus Zimmermann. "A Role-Based Prototyping Approach for Human-Centered Design in Industry." In Design for Tomorrow—Volume 2: Proceedings of ICoRD 2021, pp. 931-943. Springer Singapore, 2021. “Best Paper Award”
Martins Pacheco, Nuno Miguel, Jan Behrenbeck, Bilal Tariq, Anand Vazhapilli Sureshbabu, and Markus Zimmermann. "A role-based prototyping approach for human-centred design in fuzzy front-end scenarios." DS 101: Proceedings of NordDesign 2020, Lyngby, Denmark, 12th-14th August 2020 (2020): 1-12.
