Concurrent Engineering: An Enabler For Fast, High-Quality Product Realization

Abstract

Concurrent engineering (CE) is a proven approach for product realization that results in reduced time to bring a product to market, improved product and service quality, and reduced life-cycle costs. Time-to-market improvements of 30% to 60% are typical of a disciplined approach to concurrent engineering. Concurrent engineering integrates and synchronizes activities and the information required to define, design, produce, deliver the product or service, and to maintain the product or service over its life cycle. This paper reaches beyond a simple explanation of CE and provides examples of how powerful CE implementations can be. The paper: — Describes the elements of an infrastructure and supporting technologies for a CE-based product realization process (PRP), — Provides guidance for deploying CE by explaining a broad-based CE implementation process, and — Shares tips and ideas on how an individual or small team can catalyze CE in an organization.