Each PDinfluenced cost driver is related {and referenced by number} to one or more of the product design attributes listed below.  Remember... these are general examples of tasks and even though they are oriented toward technology products they can be applied to many other product types.  They are not intended to be all-inclusive or a one-size-fits-all list of product cost drivers.

PRODUCT DESIGN ATTRIBUTES

1. DOCUMENTATION (e.g., all product information: marketing requirements, production, test, engineering, etc.)
2. FUNCTIONALITY (What the product does: its attributes, functionality, performance, etc.)
3. TECHNOLOGY (Selected for product implementation: COTS, military, new, odd, rare, etc.)
4. TESTABILITY (Verification/validation for design / production / installation, calibration, repair, etc.)
5. SAFETY (Product must not harm users, facilities, environment, etc.)
6. LEGAL (Product does not violate any laws / legal standards; IP protection / infringement, insurance and licensing requirements, etc.)
7. QUALITY (Demanded by standards, consumers, brotherhoods, municipalities, etc.)
8. RELIABILITY (Ability to function as claimed in intended and expected environments without failure for a required time period)
9. EXTENSIBILITY (Easily upgrades with extensions, bug fixes, etc.)
10. CONNECTIVITY (Properly interfaces with intended and expected ancillary products, software, etc.)
11. MODULARITY (Ability of producer to extend product model or product, etc.)
12. MANUFACTURABILITY (Design for Assembly, Design for Manufacturing, Design for Process, etc.)
13. SUSTAINABILITY (Manage waste, recycling, reusable components per RoHS-WEEE, etc.)
14. COMPATIBILITY (With user environment, other products - intended and expected, etc.)
15. USER INTERACTION (Product usability, user and testing interfaces, Industrial Design and anthropological considerations, etc.)
16. SERVICEABILITY (Ease of warranty management, onsite/depot/web-based repair, correction, etc.)

Now, bear with me here because the following list of product cost drivers is lengthy; but, examining the information will shed light on the basis of the cost issues under discussion.  If it gets too confusing then go to the next section, COSTS THROUGH THE PRISM OF PD, where you can see the resulting analyses and conclusions - that's where the lessons are.