NPI — New Product Introduction
Definition: The cross-functional process of taking a product from concept through engineering, manufacturing, and launch. NPI is where product, ops, and supply chain either align — or quietly miss the launch window.
Example
A hardware NPI gate review checks whether tooling, suppliers, and quality plans are ready before committing to mass production.
When you'll hear it
NPI shows up most often in board meetings, quarterly business reviews, and strategy off-sites. When someone uses it, they're usually referring to new product introduction — and they expect the room to already know what that means.
FAQs
What does NPI stand for?
NPI stands for New Product Introduction.
What does NPI mean in business and finance?
The cross-functional process of taking a product from concept through engineering, manufacturing, and launch. NPI is where product, ops, and supply chain either align — or quietly miss the launch window.
Where will I hear NPI used at work?
NPI comes up most often in board meetings, quarterly business reviews, and strategy off-sites. It's used as shorthand for new product introduction, so people assume you already know the term.