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: Don’t 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
 Don’t 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