Cost Reduction in Product Development

Cost reduction in product development

In product development, cost control is often treated as a final step, something to address once the design is done. But by that point, most of the cost is already locked in.

At MMID, we believe cost reduction is a design decision. It begins with how we structure the product, define functions, and plan for production. We help our clients reduce costs without compromising performance, by making smart, system-level decisions early in the process.

From manufacturing and assembly to compliance, logistics, and long-term ownership, the earlier you address cost, the more control you have.

Cost down in product design

Once a product’s architecture and key functions are defined, it becomes difficult and expensive to change course. That’s why we build clarity into the concept phase, before unnecessary complexity has a chance to creep in.

Cost down isn’t about stripping away value. It’s about building in only what’s essential and effective, for the user, the installer, the manufacturer, and the business.

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Reducing manufacturing costs through design

One of the simplest ways to reduce manufacturing costs is by simplifying the architecture. A clear example of cost reduction is this smart detail from a building tech project: by slightly rotating a component during early design, the team was able to avoid a costly custom fixture and simplify installation.

💬 “That one small change meant faster installation, no custom tools, and one less thing to source. It just worked.”
– Marcel Plug, Senior Designer Look & Feel

Design for cost efficiency

Cost efficiency starts with making the right decisions, not just about what to design, but why.

Our function analysis sessions help clients prioritize features based on user value and business goals. Often, this reveals redundant complexity that can be removed without compromising performance. Removing features that don’t serve the user often leads to clearer products and fewer parts, steps, and costs.

💬 “Most of the time, high cost doesn’t come from one thing, it’s a mix of small decisions. We help our clients untangle those.”
– Kasper van der Wiel, Specialist Designer Functionality & Systems

How MMID embeds cost optimization in product development from day one

Cost control is not a checklist at the end of the project, but a mindset embedded in every design decision, from production to installation. To keep cost-related decisions visible, we work with our own cost decision framework. This helps clarify trade-offs, avoid budget leaks, and ensure that teams are working toward the same goals.

Things we do to embed cost optimalisation are:

Early system architecture decisions that define efficient product structures
Value engineering sessions to align features with user and business priorities
Rapid prototyping and iterative testing to avoid costly redesigns
Risk assessment and compliance checks embedded from the start
Lifecycle thinking: cleaning, maintenance, transport, and reuse are considered in every phase

💬 “You get the best cost outcomes when you define the route first and then generate ideas. Not the other way around.”
– Floris Kortekaas, Specialist Designer Producibility & Assembly

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Lifecycle thinking built into the design

Cost control doesn’t stop at production. In safety applications, ease of maintenance, durability, and serviceability play a big role in cost over time. MMID’s integrated approach ensures these factors are embedded into the product architecture, avoiding future redesigns and unnecessary warranty issues. By embedding cost thinking from the start, MMID helps clients make smart decisions early and avoid painful trade-offs later.

💬 “A cheaper design that takes longer to install or breaks more often is not cheaper in the long run.”
– Stefan Klocke, Designer Producibility & Assembly

Why this approach works

We don’t aim for “cheap.” We aim for a conscious fit: products that are robust, efficient, and aligned with how they’re used and produced

Clear product-market fit, driven by technical and user insight
Shorter production lead times
Better supplier alignment
Easier, faster assembly
Lower long-term cost of ownership

Ready to find your cost gaps?

Want to see where your product development process could be leaking budget?
Book ax expert meeting date with one of our experts and let’s find the cost gaps together.