ABSTRACT
Concurrent engineering is an approach that is characterised by a fluid definition but it is increasingly regarded at a strategic level as a means of improving product introduction performance, (e.g Sohlenius (1992), Brooks (1992), Harkins (1993), Jacob (1993)). Improved performance is achieved by a loose collection of tools and techniques which fall under the umbrella of concurrent engineering. Voss (1992) summarised these into four generic features:-
i) Process -parallel and integrated with overlapping problem solving ii) People-integration mechanisms
iii) Tools-CAD,CAM,CAE and analytical methods
iv) Performance -strong market orientation and leadtime reductions
Voss’s summary provides an insight into the multitude of decisions that need to be made in a concurrent engineering application. He identifies the need for a methodology for concurrent engineering applications to overcome this complexity.
