This paper presents a design audit tool which aims to capture �good design' issues from a product and process perspective. The product audit enables perceptions towards product characteristics to be assessed. The process audit is based on process maturity principles and targets the design related activities in NPD. The design audit has been developed iteratively by application in action research mode and is supported by evidence from literature and exploratory cases.

Designed for use in SMEs in a multi-functional workshop setting, outputs include the generation of action plans for improvement in future performance. The audit tool has succeeded in encouraging managers to pay greater attention to the design related elements of NPD; to complement the satisfaction of managerial goals typically emphasised in many NPD processes.