# How to Define and Specify Your New Hardware Product

- Show: [Predictable Designs Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast)
- Published: 2020-07-21
- Length: 24m
- Episode: 26
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-21-how-to-define-and-specify-your-new-hardware-product

## Summary

John Teel, host of the Predictable Designs Podcast and founder of the Hardware Academy, explains how to create a comprehensive product definition document to estimate development and manufacturing costs. He details specific technical specifications that founders must define, including electronics features, target retail price, dimensions, operating environment, power source, and processing requirements. Teel emphasizes the importance of specifying wireless range, display needs, mobile app requirements, and packaging to avoid costly design errors and ensure accurate cost estimation.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-21-how-to-define-and-specify-your-new-hardware-product#t=0) Introduction and Product Definition Template
- [0:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-21-how-to-define-and-specify-your-new-hardware-product#t=15) Defining Electronics and Software Features
- [0:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-21-how-to-define-and-specify-your-new-hardware-product#t=15) Setting Target Price and Physical Constraints
- [0:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-21-how-to-define-and-specify-your-new-hardware-product#t=15) Operating Environment and Power Source Specifications
- [0:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-21-how-to-define-and-specify-your-new-hardware-product#t=15) Battery Life, Use Cases, and Processing Requirements
- [0:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-21-how-to-define-and-specify-your-new-hardware-product#t=15) Display, Wireless Range, and Device Count
- [0:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-21-how-to-define-and-specify-your-new-hardware-product#t=15) Appearance, Mobile Apps, Packaging, and Market

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch

## Mentioned

- Predictable Designs Podcast (other)
- Hardware Academy (other)
- Bluetooth (other)
- Wi-Fi (other)
- Linux (other)
- Android (other)
- Windows (other)
- LCD (other)
- micro USB (other)
- alkaline (other)
- lithium (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S2E51 The Hardware Academy | John Teel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-12-03-s2e51-the-hardware-academy-john-teel) (Being an Engineer)
- [Ep. 18 - How to Write a PRD (Product Requirement Document)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-04-18-ep-18-how-to-write-a-prd-product-requirement-document) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)
- [172: Early Concept Design for a New Hardware Invention](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-04-20-172-early-concept-design-for-a-new-hardware-invention) (Product Startup)
- [IDology #11 - Most common mistakes in product development](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-03-28-idology-11-most-common-mistakes-in-product-development) (IDology)
- [Adafruit, Chip heist, Hackerspaces - The Kit Conniption](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-04-26-adafruit-chip-heist-hackerspaces-the-kit-conniption) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-21-how-to-define-and-specify-your-new-hardware-product. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Predictable Designs Podcast.