You are on page 1of 6

LITERATURE REVIEW ON CONCURRENT ENGINEERING AND ITS

IMPLEMENTATION
Gopa Bhattacharyya Choudhury 1 Dr. Sumati Sidharth2 Dr. Nilesh Ware3
1
Student, Dept of Technology Mgmt., DIAT, Pune
2
Professor, Dept of Technology Mgmt., DIAT, Pune
3
Professor, Dept of Technology Mgmt., DIAT, Pune
Email: gopa_drdo@rediffmail.com

Abstract— This literature study is a review of work published in various journals on ‘Concurrent Engineering & Its
Implementation’, between 1990 and 2020.This study intends to serve three major goals. It shall be useful to the
researchers or scholars who are interested in understanding the recent trends in the area of CE. This study shall also be
useful to businesses / industries, as it intends to enlighten on the various approaches for successful implementation of CE
for realization of business benefits. This study shall will also attempt to identify the different factors which play a major
role in implementation of concurrent engineering in a product development scenario.
.
Keywords: Concurrent Engineering, Product Life Cycle, Product and Process development
the ways of its implications in determining new product
I. INTRODUCTION development success.
In the competitive environment prevalent in the current
times, managing a 'Project for New Product Development'
faces many challenges, which needs to be optimally II. STATE OF DEVELOPMENT
addressed. While necessary efforts must be taken to
R. Badham,P.Couchman, M. Zanko (2000) This article
continuously to meet the increasing expectations of customers
addresses the conditions necessary for firms to implement
and remain competitive, it also imperative to manage the
concurrent engineering successfully. Although there has been
product development process in such a manner so as to ensure
considerable interest in concurrent Engineering since the late
that the newly developed products are globally competitive in
1980s, and many books and articles have been published on
terms of the prevailing expectations of customers most
this approach to product innovation, there is still some
effectively.
confusion about the concept, and the issues associated with its
Literature indicates that Concurrent Engineering practices
successful implementation remain largely unsearched. This
have contributed in increasing new product development
article seeks to add to the body of knowledge in these areas by
efficiency and effectiveness by introducing a higher degree of
drawing on recent Australian Surveys and on the findings of
integration between areas and departments –notably product
four case studies of the introduction of concurrent engineering
and process design. This concept enables teams to work with
in Australian firms.[1]
each other concurrently, optimize the design and development
C.E. Levandowski,D. Corin-Stig, D.Bergsjo,A.
processes with respect to different lifecycle issues and
Forslund,U. Hogman, R.Soderberg and H Johannesson
enhance the quality of product and launch products in the
(2012) Reusing design knowledge is a key concept, whether
market with the least lead-time.
manifested as reusing parts, ideas, concepts, or technologies.
In this research, an attempt will be made to explore and
This article describes processes and information technology
identify the critical success factors affecting acceleration of
solutions for holistically working with both technology
new product development process in the context of Indian
platforms and product platforms.[2]
Defense Research Organizations and see how concurrent
A.A. Ashaab,M. Golob,U.M. Attia,M. Khan, J. Parsons,
engineering can play a role in integrating these activities so as
A. Andino (2013) This article presents a transformation
to shorten the Project Life Cycle for new product
process towards lean product development in an aerospace
development.
industry. The transformation was achieved in two main stages:
Presently, new product design & development challenges
the first was to integrate the principles of set based concurrent
are immense and are related with complexity of products,
engineering into an existing product development model of an
geographically located design teams, growing needs of rapid
aerospace company. This stage included defining activities
fulfillment of customer requirements/demands, earning
and associated tools. The second stage was to implement the
revenue by capturing market share at an early stage etc. In
developed modeling a research based industrial case study, a
such situations, business oriented organizations are looking
helicopter engine in this case. Three main outcomes were
for; faster design & product development with enhanced
realized from this work. First, it presented an industrial case of
manufacturing capacity & capability, by improving revenue
lean transformation in product development, where the
from lifecycle efficiency. Many marketing activities
leanness of an existing model was enhanced by embedding set
influences the new product development process, particularly
based CE principles. Second, the developed model was
structured into a set of well-defined activities and associated
tools that were previously scattered or redundant. Finally, the development and therefore the approach adopted during this
developed model was trailed in an industrial project of a phase of product life cycle, can have major impact on
helicopter engine, tested to evaluate its value in enhancing the profitability. This paper defines the simultaneous or
innovation level and reducing risk.[3] concurrent engineering (CE) approach to product
M.Antaki,A. Schiffauerova,V. Thomson (2010) The development, and the benefits of adopting it, versus the
performance of new product development (NPD) is greatly traditional sequential engineering approach.[8]
affected by communication strategy and the information Dr. K..S. Panwar & H. Driva (1996) This paper presents a
technology tools used to support the strategy. A number of holistic approach to concurrent engineering and its
users of NPD processes claim that an adequate communication implementation which is under development by the PACE
strategy decreases their product cycle time and cost. However, consortium. PACE stands for 'Practical Approach to
the problem with evaluating the impact of information transfer Concurrent Engineering'. It is a pan-European project
is that no one has ever specifically measured how performs consisting of a consortium of eight partners. The most well-
and communication strategies are, or how effective known existing models are reviewed, examined and critiqued.
[9]
information tools are. In this paper, a model has been
developed to evaluate communication strategies. The result A. Portioli-Staudacher,H.Van Landeghem, C.E. Redaelli
indicates that a shorter, more efficient communication process The concept of concurrent engineering (CE) has been known
reduces time and effort, and that a shift towards formal for quite a while now, and it has been widely recognized as a
methods and passive information tools (computer based major enabler of fast and efficient product development. This
systems) results in more effective and easier coordination as paper examines the extent to which CE best practices, as
well as better integration.[4] obtained from a broad literature review, are being used
E. Stevans,H. Karkkainen and H Lampela (2009) Virtual effectively in companies. Companies both in Belgium and in
teams consisting of participants from many geographically Italy were investigated using a CE compliance checklist. The
distant subunit, or even belonging to many organizations and paper comments on usage patterns in both countries and
communicating mainly through ICT, are used for the purpose compares them. Specific information per sector is also
of sharing development costs and shortening the time to included. Finally, the positive impact of formal CE programs
market. This paper analyses how a VT may facilitate or is proven by the data.[10]
prevent learning, knowledge generation, and ideation Klaus Pohl,Stephan Jacobs Concurrent engineering
processes in New Product/Service Development.[5] requires the cooperation of people coming from different
X. Hu,J.Hu,A. Sekhari,Y. Peng and Z.Cao (2011) Due to phases of the engineering process. Traceability between the
the increased complexity of engineering products and design different views (products), which exist in such cross-
processes, concurrent engineering practices still face functional teams, is essential for enabling mutual
enormous challenges. Design teams often provide the understanding. Moreover, the different views must be related
knowledge involving multiple disciplines in natural language to each other and must be presented in a suitable way to
at conceptual design stage. As a result, conflicts often arise support finding and resolving of inconsistencies, conflicts, and
during communications. To increase the efficiency of design different opportunities. We have developed and implemented
process, it is necessary to avoid interpretation conflicts. This a concurrent engineering environment, called PRO-ART,
article presents a system framework to resolve terminology which is based on four main ideas.[11]
conflicts.[6] Angappa Gunasekaran (2017) Concurrent Engineering
S. Gedell,M. T. Michaells and H. Johannesson (2011) (CE) is a systematic approach to the integrated, simultaneous
The seamless co-development of products and production design of both products and their related processes, including
systems is still an unresolved challenge. Undoubtedly, production. A number of research reports are available in the
progress has been made through the proposal and application literature to deal with CE and its applications in manufacturing
of new methodologies in the collective of concurrent industries. However, the application of CE in Process
engineering. Still, there is a gap between modeling approaches Industries (PI) has not received enough attention from
in product development and in production system design. This researchers and practitioners for improving productivity and
gap is an obstacle, especially if many interdependencies exist quality. To use CE effectively in process industries requires
among the constituents of products and production systems.[7] accuracy of data and a common architecture. In PI, the
J.Michael, O'Flynn,M. Ahmad (1991) The manufacturing products are processed with minimal interruptions in any one
sector has experienced significant changes over the past production run or between production runs of products that
twenty years. Companies are becoming more international and exhibit process characteristics, such as liquids, fibers, powders
are facing increased competitive challenges. Because of this, and gases. The general characteristics of this industry add
and owing to higher customer expectations, there are greater value to materials by mixing, separating, forming, or chemical
demands on product quality, functionality, aesthetics, reactions. PI often initiates their flow with only a few raw
reliability, and flexibility. In addition, product life cycles have materials and subsequently process a variety of blending and
reduced which has led to shorter time periods in which to respiting operations. Nevertheless, there are many common
recover costs. There is a greater pressure on design teams to characteristics such as material and information flow between
develop products in shorter time periods as profits have been manufacturing and PI. This indicates the application areas of
shown to be very sensitive to time to marker (TTM). Many of CE in PI and hence to improve the competitiveness of PI in
the above factors are directly influenced during product terms of flexibility and responsiveness. An attempt has been
made in this paper to study how CE can be utilized to design supplier-networks can therewith be established
products, production system, and production planning and instantaneously.[15]
control (PPC) system for improving productivity and quality Cezar-Petre Simion (2018) The article aims to analyze the
in PI.[12] main features of the risk management process in R & D
projects in Romanian organizations. In the article, the risk
Victor J B J Paashuis, This paper looks into the use of management process in the projects carried out by the
concurrent engineering (CE) in new product development Romanian organizations is surprised at all stages: risk
(NPD) processes. To this end presents an NPD strategy identification, risk analysis and project risk response.
framework, which is derived from an operations strategy Organizational risk management influences the way in which
framework filled out with integration mechanisms decision risk identification and analysis are integrated into the
alternatives. The framework focuses on cross-functional co- management of R & D projects. The level of residual risk
operation, inter-functional communication.[13] during the project implementation period depends on how
Alireza Aslani, Petri Helo,Marja Naaranoja (2012) The project managers address the identification of risks in the
development of successful new products is today of challenge initial stages of their preparation. In most projects, resources
to most consumer product companies. They have to short their are not allocated to team members with exclusive risk
response time, pushing their development processes to move management responsibilities, but they are usually assumed by
faster while keeping on competitive prices and quality. These the project manager.[16]
caused companies are forced to find effective and innovative Ricky Luppino, M. Reza Hosseini and Raufdeen
approaches as work methods to overcome to pressures. Rameezdeen (2014) a definition of the effective methods of
Concurrent Engineering (CE) is one of the approaches to risk management in R&D projects has remained elusive.
address these managerial and manufacturing dilemmas in new Similarly, there have been calls to devise effective risk
product projects. The basic premise of CE revolves around management methods in R&D projects. To develop this area
team working. However, most of the managers especially further, the purpose of this study is twofold. First, it validates
project manager’s face with problems when they want to the veracity of claims about the urgency of introducing
promote teamwork culture, especially in conditions that the effective methods of risk management to R&D projects in
project faces with complicated problems. In this condition, a South Australia based on nine unstructured interviews with
creative team consists of members from different levels of the experts. Second, the study presents the outcomes of two case
organizational hierarchy must be shaped. There are always studies that deployed the extended version of the failure mode
barriers in group meetings that influence growth and diffusion and effect analysis, namely, the RFMEA method in a South
of creative solutions and would be reduced by using creativity Australian organization, to investigate how the method can
and innovation techniques. The first purpose of this study is to facilitate the identification of effective contingency plans to
identify the effective criteria in success of creative meetings in mitigate high-priority risks. The findings showed that the
CE projects. Next, the prioritization of each factor has been RFMEA method would be effective for project managers in
analyzed and ranked respectively. Finally, based on the results dealing with risk management issues in R&D projects. The
of previous research of the authors, the useful group creativity discussions presented will provide guidelines for practitioners
and innovation techniques related with team work meetings in in the industry.[17]
CE projects have been ranked by using the Analytic Hierarchy R.Cooper, E.J.Kleinschmidt (2010) The main factors
Process (AHP) approach.[4] impacting success at the project and the firm levels are
Robert de Graaf , Luuk Kornelius (1996) Concurrent identified on the basis of numerous empirical studies. The
Engineering (CE) is mostly applied within an organization. factors at the project level are a unique superior product,
Due to the focus at core competencies, suppliers need to be strong market orientation, global orientation, pre-development
involved. Focusing on core competencies requires work, early product definition, project team organization, and
manufacturers to involve suppliers in the development of leveraging core competencies. Differences in factors for
complex products, especially in electronic design. highly innovative versus incremental projects are discussed.
Consequently, an inter-organizational approach is necessary to The main factors for success at the business level are the right
reduce throughput-time, improve quality, and lower costs. organizational culture, an innovative strategy, resource
Analysis of a European PCB supplier’s difficulties in commitment, top management support, portfolio management,
implementing CE, with the Readiness Assessment for and a multistage, disciplined, new product development
Concurrent Engineering (RACE), led to a maturity model for process. Details of these factors are provided and their
supplier involvement in electronic design. This framework’s application in Industry is outlined. Performances differences
first step is effectuation of basic CE principles within the between highly successful projects and business and less
organization, which has been recommended for the PCB successful ventures are described.[18]
supplier. Further progress requires customer involvement, R.Cooper (2019) Why are some new products so
ultimately leading to virtual customer-supplier-teams striving successful and some companies outstanding performers in new
end-user satisfaction, supported by enhanced, ethernet-based product development? This article identifies success factors
application tools. The lack of customer effort, to achieve Inter- from numerous research studies into NPD performance in
Organizational CE, proved to be the major road-block for the Industry. Three categories of success drivers have been
PCB supplier. Nevertheless, suppliers have a strong defined.[19]
competitive edge, since they are capable of entering customer-
J.D. Owens and J.Davies (2000) In order to achieve a ideas. The paper suggests some reasons that concurrent
successful new product, and certainly the successful engineering ideas may not have been adopted more widely.
implementation of a new product into a company, it is A.S. Pillai, V.N.Lal, K.S. Rao. (1997) The Indian Guided
necessary to have a structured and documented approach to Missile Programme may be the first in the country to adapt the
new product development, therefore providing a clear road philosophy of concurrent engineering (CE) for the
map for the development of new products. This review development of high-technology weapon systems. The
highlights the NPD process, from concept to customer, and the management of IGMDP took enormous risk and proceeded
key drivers for success.[20] with the concurrent development of the technology, the
R.A.Sprague; K.J.Singh; R.T. Wood (1991) Concurrent product, as well as the establishment of production facilities.
Engineering, an integrated design approachthat considers,from During the implementation of this concurrent development
outset, all elements of the product life cycle from conception and production process, a number of hurdles have been
through disposal,including quality,cost,schedule,and user encountered which further led to the development of new
requirements,is examined. ideas, tools and techniques to realise the weapon systems in
M.Lawson,H.M.Karandikar (1994) The use of CE as the shorter time frames. The net result of these efforts is not only
defacto methodology for product development has become a the saving in time from the design of weapon systems to their
reality. However CE programs inplementors and practitioners induction, but also the build-up in technological confidence
have reported widely varying results. The results of a survey that swept through all those organisations that participated in
of a industrial organisations implementing or cinsidering this programme. This paper presents the experiences of the
implementation of CE are presented in this article. The Indian Guided Missile Programme in implementing the
difficulties in quantifying the benefits of CE are highlighted various concurrent engineering practices.
here. Peter E D Love,A Gunasekaran (1997) The construction
J.G.Bennett, T. Lamb (1996) This paper reports on a SP-8 industry has been suffering fromlow productivity and poor
Panel project to analyse the application of Cein US. performance in an attempt to improve its performance,industry
Shipbuilding and to perform a pilot implementation of CE. practitioners and researchers have looked at the manufacturing
within a US Shipyard industry as a point of reference and a source of
Hu Yongtong; Liu Ping;Yan Yuhong;Zheng Danian; innovation.Consequently,the industry has acquired and
Ma Changchao;J.Bode;Ren Shouju (1996) The concurrent adapted the CE approach to manufacturing,to construction .
design of a product involves the cooperation of many The motivation for importing a CE approach to construction is
functions such as manufacturing ,logistics,marketing, and presented in this paper.
sales. It can be represented as a multi agent system with each D.Sobek,A.C.Ward,J.K.Liker (1999) How Toyota's
agent representing a kind of expertise. Each agent has its own product design and development process helps find the best
evaluation criteria and egoistic goals. Decision making leads solutions and develop successful products.
to problems typical for concurrent engineering,in which all Holger Ernest (2003) The continuous development and
related processes are simultaneously taken into consideration. market introduction of new products ca be an important
Geritz,William, (1996) Unification of design, process for determinant of sustained company performance. For
obtaining significant gain in productivity and profitability. approximately 30 years, conceptual and empirical research has
R. Smith (1997) This paper explores the history of the been undertaken to identify the critical success factors of new
ideas behind concurrent engineering from the end of the 19th products. This paper reviews the findings of empirical work
Century until the 1960s. Concurrent engineering is the into the success factors of new product development (NPD).
relatively recent term that is applied to the engineering design E. Cengiz, H Ayyildiz, F Kirkbir (2005) New product
philosophy of cross-functional cooperation in order to create development is essential for outstanding corporate
products that are better, cheaper, and more quickly brought to performance and research about what leads to new product
market. The principles of concurrent engineering that are success has been carried out for both gooda and
traced by this paper are: manufacturing and functional design servicesfrequently.Despite extensive documentation on how to
constraints need to be considered simultaneously; combining achieve success, NPD remains a high risk venture.Critical
of people with different functional backgrounds into a design success factors that affect new product performance.
team is a useful way to combine the different knowledge
bases; engineering designers must bear in mind customer III. CONCLUSION
preferences during the design process; and time to market is
an important determinant of eventual success in the market. This paper focuses only on the literature review of
None of these principles is by itself surprising; concurrent previously published studies. The findings of this study the
engineering has led to their propagation to many people and concurrent Engineering has been a topic of interest since the
firms in the engineering world. The author has examined the late 1980s. There is still some confusion about the concept,
engineering literature in order to locate the existence of similar and the issues associated with its successful implementation.
themes in published engineering thought. All of these themes This article seeks to add to the body of knowledge in these
have recurred often in the literature. Concurrent engineering areas by drawing on recent Australian Surveys and case
can be seen therefore as a summary of best practice in product studies of concurrent engineering in Australian firms.
development, rather than the adoption of a radically new set of Concurrent engineering practices still face enormous
challenges. Virtual teams are used to share development costs
and shortening the time to market. To increase the efficiency 8. J.Michael, O'Flynn,M. Ahmad “The concurrent
of design process, it is necessary to avoid interpretation engineering approach to product development”
conflicts. This article presents a system framework to resolve Journal of Electronics Manufacturing, Vol 01(02),pp
terminology conflicts. It defines the simultaneous or 97-104 (1991)
concurrent engineering (CE) approach to product 9. Dr. K..S. Panwar & H. Driva “Concurrent
development. Engineering: From Concept to Implementation”
Concurrent engineering is a systematic approach to the Proceedings of International Conference on Agile
integrated, simultaneous design of both products and their Manufacturing (1996)
related processes, including production. To use CE effectively 10. A.Portioli-Staudacher,H.Van Landeghem, C.E.
in process industries requires accuracy of data and a common Redaelli “Implementation of concurrent engineering:
architecture, writes the authors. The authors develop a a survey in Italy and Belgium” Robotics and
concurrent engineering environment, called PRO-ART, which Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, Vol 19(3)
is based on four main ideas. 11. Klaus Pohl,Stephan Jacobs “Concurrent Engineering:
The development of successful new products is today of Enabling Traceability and Mutual Understanding”
challenge to most consumer product companies. Due to focus Concurrent Engineering: Research and Applications
at core competencies, suppliers need to be involved. An inter- (CERA)
organizational approach is necessary to reduce throughput- 12. Angappa Gunasekaran “Concurrent engineering: A
time, improve quality, and lower costs. competitive strategy for process industries” Journal
of the Operational Research Society, Vol 49 (2017)
13. Victor J B J Paashuis, “Organizing for Concurrent
REFRENCES Engineering: An Integration Mechanism Framework”
Integrated Manufacturing Systems, Vol 8 (2012)
1. R. Badham, P. Couchman, M. Zanko “Implementing 14. Alireza Aslani, Petri Helo,Marja Naaranoja
Concurrent Engineering” Human Factors & “Development of Creativity in Concurrent
Ergonomics in Manufacturing, Vol 10(3), pp-237- Engineering Teams” American Journal of Industrial
249 (2000) and Business Management, Vol 2
2. C.E. Levandowski,D. Corin-Stig, D.Bergsjo,A.
Forslund,U. Hogman, R.Soderberg and H 15. Robert de Graaf , Luuk Kornelius “Inter-
Johannesson “An integrated approach to technology organizational concurrent engineering: a case study
platform and product platform development” in PCB manufacturing” Journal of Computers in
Concurrent Engineering Research and Applications, Industry, Vol ( 30) (1996)
Vol 21(1),pp 65-83 (2012)
3. A.A. Ashaab,M. Golob,U.M. Attia,M. Khan, J.
16. Cezar-Petre Simion “Risk Management In Research-
Parsons, A. Andino “The transformation of product
Development (R & D) Projects Carried Out By
development process into lean environment using set-
Romanian Organizations” journal of Research on
based concurrent engineering: A case study from an
Trade, Management and Economic Development
aerospace industry” Concurrent Engineering
Volume 5, Issue 2 (2018)
Research and Applications, Vol 21(4),pp 268-285
17. Ricky Luppino, M. Reza Hosseini and Raufdeen
(2013)
Rameezdeen “Risk Management In Research And
4. M.Antaki,A. Schiffauerova,V. Thomson “The
Development (R&D) Projects: The Case Of South
Performance of Technical Information Transfer in
Australia” Asian Academy of Management Journal,
New Product Development” Concurrent Engineering
Vol. 19, No. 2, 67–85 (2014)
Research and Applications, Vol 18(4),pp 291-301
18. R.Cooper, E.J.Kleinschmidt “Success Factors for
(2010)
New -Product Development” Wiley International
5. E. Stevans,H. Karkkainen and H Lampela
Encyclopedia of Marketing (2010)
“Contribution of virtual teams to learning and
19. R.Cooper “The Drivers of Success in New Product
knowledge generation in innovation related projects”
Development” Industrial Marketing Management,
International J Product Development, Vol 8 (2009)
Vol 76, pp 36-47 (2019)
6. X. Hu,J.Hu,A. Sekhari,Y. Peng and Z.Cao “A Fuzzy
20. J.D. Owens and J.Davies “The importance of New
Knowledge Fusion Framework for Terms Conflict
Product Development Process: Getting Started”
Resolution in Concurrent Engineering” Concurrent
Conference Paper (2000)
Engineering Research and Applications, Vol 19(1),pp
71-84 (2011)
7. S. Gedell,M. T. Michaells and H. Johannesson 21. R.A.Sprague; K.J.Singh; R.T. Wood “Concurrent
“Integrated Model for Co-Development of Products Engineering in Pdt Development” IEEE Design and
and Production Systems - A Systems Theory Test of Computers, Vol 8, Issue 1, (1991)
Approach” Concurrent Engineering Research and
Applications, Vol 19(1),pp 71-84 (2011) 22. M.Lawson,H.M.Karandikar “A Survey of Concurrent
Engineering (CE)” Sage Journal, (1994)
23. J.G.Bennett, T. Lamb “CE: Application and
Implementation for US Ship Building” Journal of
Ship Production,Vol 2, Issue 2 (1996)

24. Hu Yongtong; Liu Ping;Yan Yuhong;Zheng Danian;


Ma Changchao;J.Bode;Ren Shouju “A multiagent
system for the support of CE” IEEE International
Conference on Systems,Man and Cybernetics.
Information Intelligence and Systems (1996)

25. Geritz,William, “The Project Manager for CE” Cost


Engg, Vol38,Iss 12 (1996)

26. R. Smith “Historical Roots of Concurrent Engg


Fundamentals” IEEE Transactions on Engg Mgmt,
Volume 44 (1997)

27. A.S. Pillai, V.N.Lal, K.S. Rao. “CE Experiences in


High Tech Defence Projects” IJTM, Vol 14,Iss 6-8
(1997)

28. Peter E D Love,A Gunasekaran “CE in Construction


Industry” Sage Journals, (1997)

29. D.Sobek,A.C.Ward,J.K.Liker “Toyota's Principles of


Set Based C Engg” MIT Sloan Mgmt Review
(1999)

30. Holger Ernest “Success Factors of New Product


Development: A review of the Empirical Literature”
International Journal of Management
Review/Volume 4, Issue 1 (2003)
31. E. Cengiz, H Ayyildiz, F Kirkbir “Critical success
factors in new product development” Ataturk
University (2005)

You might also like