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Original Date: 04/01/1993
Revision Date: 01/19/2007
Information : Integrated Product Development
Integrated Product Development (IPD) multi-functional teams provide the communications interaction foundation for concurrent engineering efforts at McDonnell Douglas Aerospace (MDA). The teams are augmented with integrated design and manufacturing support systems that create the environment for near real-time concurrent engineering.
Market competition, driving the need to improve quality, reduce cost, and shorten cycle times, prompted MDA to aggressively pursue concurrent engineering. While MDA has practiced concurrent engineering over the years, top corporate management recently re-emphasized its policy to build the product right the first time, every time. This re-emphasis, coupled with integrated CAD/CAM systems, provided a supportive environment for concurrent engineering. Management demonstrated the backing of its policies through organizational restructuring, and the company has moved away from functional organizations toward IPD teams that operate in a flexible matrix. IPD efforts focus on eliminating functional communication barriers or "silos." As a result, IPD provides the framework for MDA's concurrent engineering efforts. This effort is a holistic, systematic approach encompassing the entire life cycle development effort from concept through disposal.
Concurrent Engineering (IPD) strategic and tactical plans cover several Department of Defense (DoD) initiatives and instructions such as DoD D5000.1 and DoD I5000.2, Defense Acquisition Management Policies and Procedures, Total Quality Management (TQM) System, and Computer Aided Acquisition and Logistics (CALS) support/Contractor Integrated Technical Information Services; DoD 4245.7-M, Transition from Development to Production; and MIL-STD-499B, System Engineering. In addition, the plans provide a support structure for training, advising, measuring, scheduling and facilitating the IPD teams.
MDA has simplified CAE/CAD/CAM support tools by standardizing Unigraphics design and manufacturing software that runs on the HP 700 series workstation and by standardizing Macintosh desktop computers on the Space Station Freedom program. MAC-X provides a shared-x window into the Unigraphics files stored on DEC VAXs. The network of mini-computers, workstations, and desktops enable near real-time Concurrent Engineering (IPD) for local, as well as for geographically separated, activities. Therefore engineers, technicians, manufacturing, and logisticians share ideas throughout the design, development, and manufacturing cycles regardless of personnel location.
Concurrent Engineering (IPD) represents a common sense approach to proceed with the right thinking up front and promote all possible parallel actions. This common sense approach to Concurrent Engineering (IPD) deployment has provided several benefits including:
Increased efficiency through early up-front communications
Awareness of downstream needs of all
Enterprise product ownership because of team involvement
Reduction in non-value added activity
Establishment of contact networks between suppliers and teammates
Higher first-time quality in all program phases
Increased use of shared data
Reduction in part counts through robust design principles
Higher performance achieved on schedule with less rework
Reduced life cycle cost
Concurrent Engineering (IPD) supports the TQM philosophy. It is a methodology, a philosophy, and a mindset that helps teams of product developers define all aspects of a product's life cycle from concept through disposal.
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