IMPROVING RESPONSIVENESS IN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

An example of the systems-process approach used in development involves a large manufacturer of electronic equipment. The design of a major subassembly for a particular product line takes place within a development laboratory function. The lab function is viewed as a productive system consisting of subsystem components involved with design and support processes. The procedure followed was the following: First, ownership was established. The next step was to clearly define the boundaries of the process and identify critical interfaces. The third step involved defining the process at the activity level. Applying the fourth and fifth principles of process management involved establishing control points and measurements. The sixth and final step comprised feedback and corrective action.