The application of concurrent engineering in an international company

Over recent years Alcatel Submarine Networks has successfully employed concurrent engineering techniques over the range of diverse products that are currently required to produce a submerged telecommunications network. Alcatel have enjoyed the benefits of reduced development cycles, lower cost and higher quality. However, the added complexities of working in an international environment are not always discussed in learned texts. The authors find through the use of several case studies some of the principal problems of concurrent engineering in such circumstances. The authors concentrate on the international aspects of concurrent engineering. It is essential that all the other factors critical to successful CE are not forgotten throughout its introduction; leadership, teamwork and ownership being principal factors in successful implementation