Each month this space will be used to relate a summary of a different project. Due to confidentiality requirements, details regarding the clients or specific products cannot be disclosed.

Challenge:
Develop three new snack food line extension items without capital expense. The products must have acceptance scores equal to the average of the three highest initial varieties.

Solution:
The key to the program was strong Project Management, coordinating the efforts of R&D, Marketing, Operations, Purchasing and Packaging Development functions.

The formula development programs for the three new varieties were kept on the same timeline to reduce resource requirements. Marketing and R&D developed a joint test protocol based on ANOVA evaluation of flavor system options. The Process Development and Operations groups focused on maintaining product/ equipment compatibility. The Package Design group separated their work into pre- and post-formula identification sections allowing long lead-time items to be started before final graphics could be generated. Purchasing and R&D co-ordinated initial supplies of materials for plant testing, sales samples and start-up.

Result:
The program was completed in less than seven months including all consumer testing, sales sample production and start-up of the three new varieties. Performance of the three new varieties surpassed initial targets and ranks in the top five out of the 12 SKU product line. Product sales increases by 30%