The NPI Sherpa Pre‑Ascent Protocol — A 4‑Part Masterclass

Episode 1 — Mapping the Route: Defining Product Intent & Risk Before the Climb

Most hardware teams believe they have a product once the prototype works on the bench. That belief is one of the most dangerous illusions in New Product Introduction.

The NPI Sherpa Pre‑Ascent Protocol sets the foundation for the entire series by confronting the gap between a functional prototype and a product that can survive mass production. This episode aligns directly with Sections A & B of the Global NPI Solvers NPI Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Evaluation Protocol, which focus on Product Intent and Risk Management — the two areas that most often determine whether a program will scale or stall.

Using a high‑altitude expedition metaphor, host Sarah and Rob Ca ...