Most electronics OEM equipment manufacturing CEOs want repeatability and standardized procedures. Below, we identify key challenges and provide a structured plan for electronics decision makers in engineering, quality, supply chain, procurement, and manufacturing operations for implementing standard procedures in electronics product development.
Engineers familiar with value analysis and value engineering (VA/VE) are more familiar than most visualizing Figure 1 below, knowing your costs for change in electronics product development rise considerably as your new electronics product matures in production. So it is important to get as many things right in the early phases of your product development.
Figure 1
We divide this information into key challenges when standardizing electronics product development, and key phases in your standardization plan. (Readers can purchase a new product introduction time-to-market (TTM) flowchart, with challenges, here)
Challenges in standardizing electronics product development
1. Diverse product portfolios
Your company may have a wide range of product categories, each with unique requirements, which makes standardization complex.
Two ways manufacturers can address this common issue, especially across companies with many different product lines, and various program families within each product line, is to categorize products into groups based on similarities in design, components, and manufacturing processes.
Then, develop standardized procedures for each category to identify and address specific needs.
2. Cross-functional collaboration
Cross-functional collaboration can be ineffective. Often times tensions can erupt between engineering and sales. Effective product development involves close collaboration between engineering, quality, supply chain, purchasing, and manufacturing.
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Siloed departments can hinder standardization efforts so its important to not let stresses and disagreements between cross-functional groups linger because these issues have a way of manifesting into your final product.
Best practices to promote a culture of cross-functional teamwork and encourage regular communication. Create dedicated cross-functional teams responsible for standardization efforts.
Hold daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly meetings.
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3. Technology advancements
The challenge with rapid technological advancements in many electronics industry market verticals requires agility in product development, making it challenging to standardize.
To help combat this, manufacturers can develop adaptable standards that can accommodate technological changes.
Encourage R&D teams to stay up-to-date and incorporate emerging technologies where applicable into your products.
4. Regulatory compliance
The challenge in regularly compliance is manufacturers often have difficulty meeting diverse regulatory requirements across different markets and industries because variety can introduce complications.
Best practices suggest establishing a regulatory affairs, or compliance, team responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance. Develop standardized templates for regulatory documentation.
Product development standardization plan phases
By breaking down the standardization process into distinct phases, your organization gains a clear and organized roadmap. Each phase below addresses specific challenges and objectives, ensuring that everyone involved in the standardization effort understands their role and responsibilities.
This clarity fosters a sense of purpose and direction, minimizing confusion and ensuring that efforts are aligned with the overall goal of improving product development.
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