In section 1.2 we saw that product design is preceded by a product pianning phase, which should yield one or more product ideas with, among other things, statements on the functions to be fulfilled. In the analysis phase the designer forms an idea of the problems around
such a new product idea (the problem state and formulates the criteria that the solution should meet, first broadly and in later iterations more accurately and complete. The list of criteria is called the performance specification' or program of requirements'. Like the design itself a performance specification cannot be deduced' from the problem. It is part of the perception that the client, the designer other stakeholders' have of a certain problem. A specification comprises all sorts of decisions as to the direction in which solutions will be sought, writing a specification is therefore already a genuine design activity. One can, therefore, arrive at different, equally good specifications for one and the same problem.