Managing the Product Realization Process: a Model for Aggregate Cost and Time-to-market Evaluation

Abstract

Product and process realization for innovative mechanical products often risks considerable cost- and schedule-related problems A tool to aid rapid evaluation of the aggregate development cost and time implications of alternate preliminary designs and design processes could therefore be valuable, particularly in a concurrent engineering environment. To this end, a model is proposed and demonstrated with a proof-of-concept computer implementation. There are several potential applications envi sioned: as a "prospectus" for new product designs to evaluate development cost and time within a specific organizational context; to assist managers in concurrent scheduling of design, tooling, and other preproduction activities; as a vehicle for budget negotiation between engineers and financial managers during the design process, and as an aid for value analysis This research is intended as a starting point to investigate new computer-based management tools made possible in part by emerging engineering design representations and related methodologies for cost and time evaluation

Keywords

product realization cost time-to-market design management.

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