Methoden und Ansätze zur Umsetzung kundenorientierter und technischer Anforderungen in der Traktorenentwicklung

Abstract

The increasing technological complexity in tractor development, coupled with a globally diversified agricultural structure, presents companies with the challenge of systematically integrating customer needs into the product development process. Diverse regional requirements, varying farm sizes, and divergent perceptions of tractor functionality demand a structured requirements management approach that aligns technical feasibility, customer benefit, and economic goals. While previous processes have often relied on experiential knowledge or informal feedback loops, there is a growing need for methodologically sound approaches that enable consistent, traceable, and scalable handling of requirements throughout the entire development cycle. This thesis therefore focuses on the development of a holistic, practice-oriented, and theory-based requirements management process for tractor development. Based on a comprehensive literature review, key methodological concepts such as Requirements Engineering, Quality Function Deployment (QFD), and the Means-End Model by Zeithaml were transferred into an application-oriented context. In addition, qualitative expert interviews were conducted with relevant stakeholders along the development process to gain practical insights into existing challenges, role distributions, and systemic weaknesses. A total of six guideline-based, semi-structured interviews were conducted, based on a previously developed stakeholder analysis. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and systematically coded and analyzed using the qualitative data analysis software MAXQDA. A combined deductive-inductive approach was applied: predefined coding categories were complemented by inductively developed codes to ensure that unexpected insights could also be integrated into the analysis. The frequency and relevance of coded segments allowed a well-founded assessment of topic importance and served as the basis for the development of the requirements matrix. A key result of the thesis is the conception of a requirements matrix that links customer needs, technical requirements, specifications, as well as validation and verification measures. This matrix provides a foundation for the derivation of technical specifications and enables transparent traceability. Furthermore, mechanisms were developed to evaluate and prioritize requirements, taking into account perceived customer satisfaction and the willingness to pay for additional features. The aspect of scalability was also addressed: the developed process can be transferred to various tractor platforms and supports flexible evolution in diverse markets. Thus, this thesis not only offers a theoretically grounded contribution to the further development of requirements management in agricultural machinery engineering but also provides concrete recommendations for operational practice. It establishes a methodological foundation for the systematic integration of the customer perspective into the product development process and lays the groundwork for selecting and implementing a suitable digital tool capable of holistically mapping requirements. The motivation for conducting this research stems both from the author’s personal interest in the field of structured product development and from a specific need within the professional environment. The research question and objectives of this master's thesis were defined in close cooperation with the company employing the author. The company commissioned the author, as part of his professional role, to conceptually develop a holistic requirements management process, ensuring a strong practical relevance. The results of this work are intended to serve as a foundation for the strategic advancement of the company's internal development processes.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	German (Austria)
Supervisor	Harald Dobernig (Supervisor)