Approach for an integrated achievement of the cost target

Target Costing is a multidisciplinary process embracing product development. Various tasks are necessary to design a product that meets the requirements in terms of functionality and product cost. Although a favourable price/performance ratio gains in importance, the employees still have difficulties assessing the effects of their decisions on later product costs. The presented approach provides support for all departments involved in the product development process. Within the enclosing framework, three basic elements are the core of the computer-aided modular system. They include methods and tools for evaluating the costs of components in addition to relevant cost data. Built-in tools help visualise cost progression in the value engineering process. Another goal of the approach is the integration into the value engineering process of all associates influencing the final product costs.