R&D and quality assurance partnership

Complex R&D programs, such as end-product oriented VLSI developments, require utilization and integration of teams consisting of individuals representing a wide variety of different areas of expertise. The needed expertise can be provided by a highly professional quality assurance team equipped with state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation. Its integration into the total program team with additional program and market-oriented objectives can provide an increased overall effectiveness. Successful experience with the combined team strategy, as applied during a 32-bit VLSI development program, is described here in terms of the program environment, conditions leading to the decision to invite the quality assurance team to participate, changes introduced, and specialized knowledge contributed. Results of this strategy are evaluated in the context of program and project management.