Managing part number preferredness

A computer program product comprising:

• a computer usable medium having computer readable program code for managing component preferredness for components that are used in products, the computer program product having:
• computer readable program code causing a computer to provide technology roadmaps identifying components available for particular technologies;
• computer readable program code causing a computer to assign preferredness values for said components, said preferredness values indicating a rating of whether each of said components is acceptable for incorporation into a design of a product;
• computer readable program code causing a computer to identify from said technology roadmaps a roadmap for a selected technology;
• computer readable program code causing a computer to retrieve part numbers of components specific to said selected technology;
• computer readable program code causing a computer to identify and filter out from the process those retrieved part numbers that do not require a check so that only those part numbers that require a check remain;
• computer readable program code causing a computer to periodically review in a current time period said identified roadmap and determining for the remaining part numbers whether said assigned preferredness values accurately reflect current conditions in said time period and current estimates for future conditions, and if not, further making changes in said preferredness values based upon said determination to reflect said current conditions;
• computer readable program code causing a computer to change software, including algorithms, as required to implement said changes in said preferredness values;
• and computer readable program code causing a computer to release updated software for production use by procurement and design personnel.

A program storage device readable by a processor capable of executing instructions, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the processor to perform method steps for managing component preferredness for components that are used in products, said method steps comprising:

• providing technology roadmaps identifying components available for particular technologies;
• assigning preferredness values for said components, said preferredness values indicating a rating of whether each of said components is acceptable for incorporation into a design of a product;
• identifying from said technology roadmaps a roadmap for a selected technology;
• retrieving part numbers of components specific to said selected technology;
• identifying and filtering out from the process those retrieved part numbers that do not require a check so that only those part numbers that require a check remain;
• periodically reviewing in a current time period said identified roadmap and determining for the remaining part numbers whether said assigned preferredness values accurately reflect current conditions in said time period and current estimates for future conditions, and if not, further making changes in said preferredness values based upon said determination to reflect said current conditions;
• changing software, including algorithms, as required to implement said changes in said preferredness values;
• and
• releasing updated software for production use by procurement and design personnel.