hardware life cycle

Dev Phase
* Circuitry grossly working
* Mechanical parts designed at a high level

Prototype Validation Phase
* Validate that product can be built in final form factor

Engineering Validation Test
* Electrical validation
* Mechanical reliability testing
* Start necessary certifications

Design Verification Test
* Solve issues that decrease yields

Production Validation Test
* Ramp up production
* Engineering is required to solve production issues, such as parts being out of spec

Early Field Failure Analysis
* Analyze and fix failures seen in product by initial customers

Sustaining Phase
* Maintain production through parts' end of life
* Analyze and solve systematic customer issues that come up, such as an increase in returns