This paper presents a reference model for the milling wheat product development process (PDP). The model targets to facilitate the project of new products, evaluating necessities, requirements and limitations. It contributes to integrate and create communication among the functional areas, reducing development times. The operational structure of the model is composed of three macro-phases and eight phases. At the end of each phase, the main information is compiled in document type-form, which must pass by a top management evaluation gate. The application of the reference model was tested from a plan to systematize the PDP of a company. The intervention to adjust the reference model to the company analyzes the actual PDP status, proposition of improvements, and the conduction of such application. Among the results, the facility to apply the proposed solutions to improve the company's PDP using the reference model stand out, showing the practical adequacy of the proposed model.
Product development process; Milling wheat sector; Reference model
