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Original Date: 08/20/2001
Revision Date: 12/14/2006
Information : Contractor/Customer Integrated Product Teams
Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems-Surface Systems established Contractor/Customer Integrated Product Teams for its product development programs. This approach fosters better communication with the customer during design and development, resulting in a more effective and efficient program.
In the past at Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems-Surface Systems (NE&SS-SS), product development was based on contractor understanding of customer requirements. Periodic customer design reviews were held to access the development process and recommended product. Customer concurrence was required in order to continue with the process. This approach created the possibility of redesign and rework based on the customer’s response at the design reviews. As often was the case, this situation caused Lockheed Martin NE&SS-SS to spend additional time and money on redesign and rework because either the customer’s requirements were not fully understood or the customer did not understand the company’s product and development process. To increase program efficiency and effectiveness, Lockheed Martin NE&SS-SS created Contractor/Customer Integrated Product Teams (IPTs).
This approach fosters customer involvement throughout the development cycle, and prevents lengthy work effort which does not meet the customer’s needs. The customer attends all IPT meetings and participates in the development decisions. By establishing a line of communication between participants, issues and problems can immediately be resolved. The design reviews become fewer and more informal due to the customer’s knowledge of the process and product through attendance at IPT meetings.
The Contractor/Customer IPTs minimize the possibility of redesign and rework because the customer is involved throughout the design process. This approach also results in real-time customer feedback; reduces the chances of misunderstandings; simplifies design reviews; and prevents multiple, if any, design review action items. The Contractor/Customer IPTs enable Lockheed Martin NE&SS-SS to develop an acceptable product within cost and schedule, thereby increasing customer satisfaction levels.
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