What are the best practices for using CPS to develop new products in the food industry?

1 What is CPS?

CPS is a process that involves four main stages: clarifying the problem, generating ideas, developing solutions, and implementing actions. Each stage has its own tools and techniques that help to define the problem, explore different perspectives, generate and evaluate alternatives, and plan and execute the best solution. CPS is not a rigid or linear method, but rather a flexible and iterative one that allows for feedback, refinement, and adaptation along the way.

2 Why use CPS in the food industry?

The food industry is a highly competitive and regulated sector that requires constant innovation and differentiation to attract and retain customers. However, innovation is not easy or straightforward, especially when dealing with complex problems that involve multiple stakeholders, constraints, and uncertainties. CPS can help food businesses to overcome these challenges by providing a structured and creative framework to identify and solve problems, as well as to generate and test new product concepts. CPS can also foster a culture of collaboration, experimentation, and learning within the organization, which can enhance its performance and resilience.

3 How to use CPS in the food industry?

Using CPS in the food industry requires a tailored approach depending on the problem and context. However, some best practices can be followed to ensure success. These include involving a diverse and cross-functional team to bring different skills, knowledge, perspectives, and experiences to the problem. Research and analysis should be conducted to understand the customer, market, competition, and trends. Tools such as brainstorming, mind mapping, SCAMPER, analogies, and prototyping can be used to stimulate thinking. Criteria and filters should be applied to select the most promising ideas and solutions. Testing and validating the solutions with stakeholders is key to improving them. Lastly, project management tools should be used to execute the implementation of solutions and guarantee quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.

4 What are some examples of CPS in the food industry?

CPS has been utilized by many food businesses to develop successful products in the market. Oatly, a Swedish company that produces oat-based dairy alternatives, used CPS to create a new product category that appeals to vegan, lactose-intolerant, and health-conscious consumers. Through research, experimentation, and prototyping, they developed a unique process that turns oats into a creamy and nutritious drink. Meanwhile, Beyond Meat, a US company that produces plant-based meat alternatives, used CPS to engineer a product that uses pea protein, beet juice, and coconut oil to create a burger that sizzles, bleeds, and satisfies meat lovers. Furthermore, KitKat, a global chocolate brand owned by Nestlé, leveraged CPS to launch KitKat Chocolatory - a concept store that allows customers to create their own custom-made KitKat bars with various flavors, ingredients, and packaging options.