ABSTRACT
If, during any product’s life cycle, a common component needs to be changed, the modification must be considered for all the products using that component. If the change cannot be made so it would still be common, the new user product will create a new part number for the component, and it will not be common any longer. The original user of the part will keep the existing number and design. The design and cost impacts need to be addressed by the change control people — manufacturing and engineering. This could mean new tooling, material, manufacturing planning and route sheets, more storage space, and documentation control. These must be factored into the cost of the change. In other words, do you really need the change?
