Concurrent engineering: an overview for Autotestcon

The authors summarize a 1988 investigation of concurrent engineering and its role in weapons system acquisition with some attention to testability implications. They describe the investigation, present highlights of the evidence, and set forth the principal findings and recommendations, related them to testability where appropriate. Included is the definition of concurrent engineering developed during this study. Some benefits reported include 60% reduction in product development time, elimination of two thirds of the inspectors in one factory, and several-million-dollars annual savings in chemical and soldering processes. The methods and technologies of concurrent engineering are outlined and the process management ideas, the computer support, and the problem-solving techniques are considered. A conceptual framework is offered to describe the continuing research needed in this area