Concurrent Engineering

Developed by: Robert Wyant

Penn State University

What Will Be Covered

Concurrent Engineering Defined
Brainstorming

Nuts and Bolts

How It Works
Example of Concurrent Engineering
An Exercise

Concurrent Engineering Defined

1st Definition
The simultaneous performance of product design
and process design. Typically, concurrent
engineering involves the formation of crossfunctional 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.

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.

Brainstorming
Brainstorm some ideas about Concurrent
Engineering
How can this tool be used in your
organization?

Nuts and Bolts

Basic Tenets of Concurrent Engineering

-Doing things simultaneously

-Focusing on the Process
-Converting hierarchical organizations
into teams

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

Nuts and Bolts

Concurrent Engineering = Teamwork

-The more communication exists, the

better the product.
Balances Needs

-Customer, Supplier, Engineers,

Marketing, and Manufacturing needs.

Nuts and Bolts

Management

-Good mgmt is vitally important

-Encourage communication
-Strong mgmt support

How it Works

3 Main Areas to Concurrent Engineering

1) People
2) Process
3) Technology

How It Works
Area 1: People

-Formation of teams
-Training

How It Works
Area 2: Process

-Changes in your processes

-Be open to change

How It Works
Area 3: Technology

-CAD/CAM
-Software. Hardware, and Networking

How It Works
Basic Summary

-Most important aspect is People

-Process and Technology: Dont be
afraid of change

Real World Example

Titan Linkabit
-Develops circuit boards
- CAE technical manager, Chip Ciradot

Real World Example

Titan Linkabit
-Old CAD system: 21 weeks to develop 8layer circuit board.
-Implemented new CAE tools and CE
-New circuit board: 12 weeks to develop, 10
layers, twice the functionality of the 8 layer.

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?

Summary
Concurrent Engineering: Simultaneous

development of product and process.

Most important aspect is communication
and formation of teams
Management support is vitally important
Dont be afraid to change current
processes and technologies

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