本文所描述的工作是第一次系统地研究产品实现过程（PRP），该过程在先进的公司中实践，并在大学中教授。由美国国家科学基金会主办，由ASME的工业和学术专家项目小组进行的研究，（1）定义了PRP中进步公司广泛使用的最佳实践，（2）确定了新的、BS级工程师和经验丰富的机械工程师所需要的知识和技能的最佳实践，（3）决定学术界对PRP中最佳实践需求的看法。 它还比较了行业需求和学术界对PRP最佳实践的看法。

The work described in this paper is the first systematic study of the product realization process (PRP) as practiced in progressive companies and taught in universities. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation and conducted by an ASME Project Team of industry and academic experts, this study: (1) defines the Best Practices widely used by progressive companies in the PRP, (2) determines the Best Practices for which knowledge and skills are needed by new, BS-level engineers and by experienced mechanical engineers, and (3) determines academe's perception of the need for the Best Practices in the PRP. It also compares industries' needs and academe's perceptions about Best Practices in the PRP.