Fitness for Purpose

Fitness for Purpose

1. Fitness for purpose refers to the product being appropriate for the purpose that the buyer wanted it for

2. Methods of assessing fitness for purpose

   • Performance (function)
     • Feedback from user groups
     • Observing the performance of the product in different situations
   • Safety
     • Testing product to destruction (mechanical testing)
     • Testing using CAD or ultrasound (non - destructive testing)
     • Conforming to international safety standards
   • Price
     • Analyse sales figures, buying behaviour and customer details
   • Aesthetics
     • Market research to asses consumer taste
     • Preferences to colour, style, form using rating charts
   • Reliability (user friendliness)
     • Testing reliability over a period of time using test rigs
     • Consumer feedback/Rating charts

3. Evaluating a product for fitness for purpose

   • Performance
     • How well does it perform?
     • Does it work correctly?
     • Durability
     • Anthroprometrics
   • Safety
     • Is the product safe from defects?
     • Natural safety features
     • Does it conform to relevant international safety standards?
   • Price
     • Recommended Retail Price (RRP)
     • Price vis - a - vis quality
     • Suitability for target market group
   • Aesthetics
     • Colour, shape, form and finish
     • Suitability for target market group
   • Reliabillity
     • Does it operate reliably every time it is used?
     • Reliability over product life cycle