1. What Will Be Covered
Concurrent Engineering Defined
Brainstorming
Nuts and Bolts
How It Works
Example of Concurrent Engineering
An Exercise
2. Concurrent Engineering Defined
1st Definition
“The simultaneous performance of product design and process design.
Typically, concurrent engineering involves the formation of cross-
functional teams. This allows engineers and managers of different
disciplines to work together simultaneously in developing product
and process design.”
Foster, S. Thomas. Managing Quality: An Integrative Approach. Upper Saddle River New
Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2001.
3. Concurrent Engineering Defined
2nd Definition
“Concurrent engineering methodologies permit the separate tasks of the
product development process to be carried out simultaneously
rather than sequentially. Product design, testing, manufacturing and
process planning through logistics, for example, are done side-by-
side and interactively. Potential problems in fabrication, assembly,
support and quality are identified and resolved early in the design
process.”
Izuchukwu, John. “Architecture and Process :The Role of Integrated Systems in Concurrent
Engineering.” Industrial Management Mar/Apr 1992: p. 19-23.
5. Nuts and Bolts
Basic Tenets of Concurrent Engineering
-Doing things simultaneously
-Focusing on the Process
-Converting hierarchical organizations into teams
6. Nuts and Bolts
Basic Goals of Concurrent Engineering
-Dramatic improvements in time to market and costs
-Improvements to product quality and performance
-Do more with less
7. Nuts and Bolts
Concurrent Engineering = Teamwork
-The more communication exists, the better the product.
Balances Needs
-Customer, Supplier, Engineers, Marketing, and
Manufacturing needs.
8. Nuts and Bolts
Management
-Good mgmt is vitally important
-Encourage communication
-Strong mgmt support
9. How it Works
3 Main Areas to Concurrent Engineering
1) People
2) Process
3) Technology
10. How It Works
Area 1: People
-Formation of teams
-Training
11. How It Works
Area 2: Process
-Changes in your processes
-Be open to change
12. How It Works
Area 3: Technology
-CAD/CAM
-Software. Hardware, and Networking
13. How It Works
Basic Summary
-Most important aspect is People
-Process and Technology: Don’t be afraid of change
14. Real World Example
Titan Linkabit
-Develops circuit boards
- CAE technical manager, Chip Ciradot
15. Real World Example
Titan Linkabit
-Old CAD system: 21 weeks to develop 8-layer circuit
board.
-Implemented new CAE tools and CE
-New circuit board: 12 weeks to develop, 10 layers, twice
the functionality of the 8 layer.
16. A Short Exercise
Come up with some ideas as to how implementing
Concurrent Engineering could be useful in your
organization?
How will you form teams? Open communication? Change
processes? Implement technology?
17. Summary
Concurrent Engineering: Simultaneous development of
product and process.
Most important aspect is communication and formation
of teams
Management support is vitally important
Don’t be afraid to change current processes and
technologies
18. Bibliography
Foster, S. Thomas. Managing Quality: An Integrative Approach. Upper Saddle River
New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2001.
Izuchukwu, John. “Architecture and Process :The Role of Integrated Systems in
Concurrent Engineering.” Industrial Management Mar/Apr 1992: p. 19-23.
Litsikas, Mary. “Break Old Boundaries with Concurrent Engineering.” Quality Apr
1997: p. 54-56.
Mills, Robert. “Concurrent engineering: Alive and well.” CAE. Aug 1993: p. 41-44
