Michael Keer
Founder & Managing Partner, Product Realization Group
Michael Keer has over 30 years of high-technology New Product Introduction experience in development and manufacturing. As founder of the Product Realization Group (PRG), Michael created a solutions-based team of consultants that help companies make the leap from concept to full market scale. We are a mission-driven company dedicated to helping companies bring products to market that positively impact both people and the planet. Our clients include medical device, consumer electronics, and high-technology start-ups, SMBs, and large companies such as Intuitive Surgical, Mentor Graphics, and NTT. Prior to the PRG, Michael served in senior management roles at SofTEQ, Paramit Corporation, SemiPower Systems, and Ericsson, where he supported bringing over 100 new products to market in both OEM and CM environments.
Michael received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and Masters in Manufacturing Engineering from Northwestern University, and has mentored at Stanford University’s StartX, Berkeley Foundry, and Lemnos Labs. He is currently a mentor at the CleanTech Open and Sustainable Ocean Alliance. He has lectured at Stanford University, Northwestern University, Santa Clara University, SME, IEEE, ASME, and Lawrence Livermore National Labs.
Product Realization Group
Product Realization Group stands out as an industry leader in product commercialization and business process improvement. Our team of trusted industry experts guides the world’s most advanced companies to accelerate the delivery of their products, from concept to full market scale. Learn more at prgnpi.com.
The Hardware Product Development Lifecycle
Mike is the editor of the article series The Hardware Product Development Lifecycle.
The Hardware Product Development Lifecycle from Idea to Scale
This series describes how hardware products transition from an idea through development, manufacturing, and volume sales to their eventual end of life. Learn how to avoid the pitfalls and risks companies encounter on their way to a successful product launch.
In this blog series, a veteran New Product Development and Introduction (NPDI) expert explains how to transition a hardware product from idea to manufacturing at scale and describes each stage in an eight-stage framework for the hardware product development lifecycle: 1.) concept and feasibility 2.) design and planning 3.) development 4.) validation 5.) controlled introduction 6.) volume manufacturing 7.) support and continuation 8.) withdrawal.
Starting with the factors that may affect the creation of your hardware product, leading to determining the feasibility of the desired manufactured item(s). The series next guides readers through the stages of design and planning, development, and validation, explaining how to stay in step with your manufacturing partners. By the end of this series, readers will be ready to transition ideas to manufacturing and ship product(s) in volume. Finally, explore the planning required for product end-of-life to prevent disappointing loyal customers and keep users engaged in your product journey as you evolve new versions with improved functionality.
Michael’s author archive lists contributions of articles and episodes.
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