In order to get into concurrent engineering, you would need to have an advanced knowledge of the manufacturing and production industry. This concept was created in order to improve the efficiency of production by using a multitasking method while focusing on the end result. The process of concurrent engineering is designed to expedite the production of numerous items, which is implemented by a team of professionals who focus on all of the aspects of production before beginning manufacturing a product. A team of designers, builders, manufacturers, and other professionals devise a plan before they start manufacturing a project to ensure that defects and other problems are caught before mass production begins.
The primary purpose of concurrent engineering is to introduce a product with little to no defects to the market in a relatively short period of time. In order for a team to achieve this, the members must have diverse educational backgrounds as well as different areas of expertise. A well-developed team is the key to production quality, quantity, and the time frame in which products are manufactured. Most commonly, this team is referred to as an integrated product development team and are responsible for the life cycle of a product, which includes the time frame from when the merchandise is a concept until it is a finished product.
Concurrent engineering has become increasingly popular and has replaced a process that was referred to as the waterfall model. This past model of production included a consecutive set of steps or phases, including analysis, design, implementation, testing, installation, and maintenance. The waterfall model had its own pros and cons, and the primary disadvantage when compared to concurrent methods is that the production rate is significantly slower. When phases are concurrent, production times are often cut in half.
Several elements of concurrent engineering include a multidisciplinary team, systematic engineering process, a controlled environment, information distribution, and supporting facilities. This entire process is based on collaboration, and teamwork is a key principle in the successful implementation of concurrent engineering. The benefit of a product manufactured under this concept is that the end result is an affordable well-made product. Concurrent engineering software is available that assists designers and other professionals in mapping out the production life-cycle. Most of these programs come equipped with configuration design and design optimization tools.