Posts by Rob Allen
Validation / Systems Engineering (Part 4)
In this final article of the series, we will cover the right leg of the “V” diagram which illustrates the process of verifying and integrating hardware into the system. We are ensuring all components, subassemblies and subsystems work together as required; full functionality of the system is successfully verified, meets validated requirements and customer needs…
Read MoreValidation / Systems Engineering (Part 3)
In Part 1 and Part 2 of this article series, we described validation engineering as the process of validating, monitoring and execution of product requirements to ensure customer needs are met. The validation engineer is the validation process owner and works with subject matter experts to develop complete, accurate and testable requirements. We proposed the…
Read MoreValidation / Systems Engineering (Part 2)
In Part 1 of this article series, we described validation engineering as the process of validating, monitoring and execution of product requirements to ensure customer needs are met. The validation engineer is the validation process owner and works with subject matter experts to develop complete, accurate and testable requirements. We proposed the following “V” diagram…
Read MoreValidation/Systems Engineering (Part 1)
Validation/systems engineering is the validation, monitoring and execution of product requirements to ensure customer needs are met.
Read MoreEnabling People, Processes and Product Development
Clear roles and responsibilities for project managers and team leaders can significantly improve alignment of skillsets and overall teamwork A generally accepted principle for a successful business is great people, processes & products. This can be further simplified as “maximizing customer value and minimizing cost” of the product. Consider the following: Product Development, Process Improvement…
Read MoreEnabling Customer Value in Product Design
Use an Integrated Approach in the Product Life Cycle Process to Enable Customer Value Given our primary goal of developing a profitable product, our objective in the design process is to maximize customer value and minimize cost. From a financial analysis standpoint: we pursue products with the highest possible margins (ie. charge the customer “as…
Read MoreWhy Market Requirements Don’t Really Exist
Wouldn’t it be great if we could require the stock market to provide us 15% increases in our portfolio every year…or if we could simply require a sunny day for a picnic? You might be familiar with the term ‘market requirements’ or a ‘market requirements document’ as a deliverable in the definition phase of a…
Read MoreWhen the system is the customer – system integration
In recent articles I framed the structure of a market analysis to ensure we understand customer needs and value, product requirements are “the what” the design provides (to ensure customer needs are met); the design is “the how” the product requirements will be met. Product requirements are determined by answering the following question: “What shall the (product) design provide…
Read MoreDesign Optimization Using Value Equations
Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is an excellent tool to ensure linkage of customer needs to product requirements. This article will provide a high-level overview on creating a ‘first-level’ QFD and how it can be used to guide design optimization. (There are many additional features of QFD , however, and readers of this article are encouraged…
Read MoreWhat is Validation?
Significant savings in product development costs can be realized with robust validation processes, starting with requirements validation. Validation confirms the product meets customer needs for the products intended use, and answers the question “are we designing the right product?” The “right product” therefore starts with the “right” product requirements. Even a product designed with detailed…
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