Time to Market Diminished using Concurrent Engineering
Easily the most important KPI for product development is ‘time to market’. Cost, quality, and revenue all benefit from its reduction. So: Why is it that a key tool (Concurrent Engineering) used extensively in the automotive market for decades is almost unheard of in electronics product development?
What is Concurrent Engineering?
To develop a product numerous specialists must deliver their offerings: project management; specification; electronics design; firmware; software; product design; mechanical engineering; PCBA manufacture; injection moulding; turning and milling; EMC and international standards compliance and testing etc., etc.
The traditional approach, which is unfortunately still pursued method by most providers of product development, is a style of waterfall project management. It consists of a series of stage gates through which the development can’t proceed unless its previous section is approved and complete. The bullets below give a window into the method, noting that it is iterative – first cycle doesn’t usually result in a perfect result – learning on the way:
- Product requirements are gathered and a definitive specification written. No design work until this is complete
- Electronics CAD design takes place (note often runs concurrently with next bullet). No manufacturing activity until complete.
- Mechanical and product design take place (note often runs concurrently with previous bullet). No manufacturing activity until design complete.
- Prototype or pre-production manufacturing takes place.
- Testing of product to confirm it meets specification. No logistics and operations activity until final functional prototype status achieved.
The list above isn’t complete, but it makes the point. The method is wooden, slow, unresponsive to changes in the development and commercial environment, and worst of all shuts available resources and expertise out of processes in which they have a stake. The overview view of concurrent engineering below gives a hint of a wholly more fulfilling process.
Time to market slashed by using Concurrent Engineering
In essence, Concurrent Engineering is all disciplines start on day one and none finish until the project is finished.
It sounds ridiculous and wasteful of resources, but it isn’t. Far from it. Concurrent engineering doesn’t demand pointless and dutiful attendance of meetings or shouldering commitments that aren’t part of a given remit, but it does require that all disciplines can see everyone’s work and all have a right to input. The result is an approximate three fold reduction in time to market and earliest possible solution of challenges. Furthermore, its dynamic nature means it can flex with changing circumstances, which are inevitable with all real projects.
A few examples of benefits will illustrate the thrust of this article’s message:
- As the electronics design engineer chooses his/her components during the specification stage, the Operations team can immediately start discussions with distributors with a view to production supply (time to market). Furthermore, the design engineer will gain the benefit of access to field application engineers at the distributor (quality/design). These can knock years off time to market.
- As the product designer starts detailed drawings, the injection mould tool maker can begin design of the tool – material at the very least, and as sections are confirmed tool design starts. The inevitable iteration between these two designers results in a better product (quality), more quickly (time to market).
These examples make the point. Take the EM’s word for it: it is an order of magnitude more efficacious than other development methods!
Reduce Time to Market with your Electronics Product Development with Concurrent Engineering
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