Applying the Wayfaring Model in Product Development: Case Study "Tile/Grout Cleaner"

Abstract

The wayfaring model is a product development approach that uses continuous exploration, ideation, prototyping and testing to reach a final destination. This thesis describes the wayfaring journey of the development of a tile and grout-cleaning tool for Henkel AG & Company, KGaA. The aim was to create one or more prototypes for testing and presentation of the concept.

The journey started with gaining as much knowledge as possible about the problem and solution space through benchmarking, bathroom dirt research and early stage cleaning experiments. This led to a divergent ideation phase where several concepts were rapidly prototyped and tested before the convergent evaluation phase resulted in the chosen concept: Manual cleaning iron . The next part of the journey included the development of the design of the tool, the ergonomics of the handle and the mechanical brush function solution. This was realized by combining different tools such as hand drawing, 3D-modelling and printing, as well as mechanical machining. The result was two prototypes, one proof of design, and one proof of function prototype. The functional prototype was tested concerning the handle ergonomics, hand and wrist posture, force transmission, visual result feedback and user satisfaction. The results were encouraging, and some were even better than those of an pre-existing competing tool.

The entire process is well documented, and improvement suggestions for further development are included in the thesis to facilitate a continuation of the project by Henkel.