Purpose

• The basic “raw materials” for any product manufacturing company are Tools (machines, molds, software, etc.), People (and the processes they devise), Money and a Product (embodied in drawings and specifications). Thus, the need to control and streamline the product documentation processes must be considered strategic planning for company.
• To assure the lowest total product life-cycle cost as well as fast and accurate well-understood Configuration Management/Engineering Documentation Control – Product & Documentation Release, Change Request, Design Change, and Bill of Material processes. See page 5 for “Why Process Speed Is Important.”
• To attain the benefits listed on page 5 of this standard.

Applicability

• Applies to the design functions and other functions served by this configuration management organization.

Policy/Practice

• To have an organized, fast, accurate and consistent process for controlling the configuration of hardware and embedded software products.
• Shall consist of planning, control, identification, traceability, and reporting.
• Shall consist of Release, Change Request, Change Control and Bill of Material processes.

Procedure

• Not applicable

Primary Responsibility

DOCUMENT CONTROL MANAGER:

• Design and documentation of the CM processes by flow diagram, form, form instruction, procedures, standards and further policy as required.
• To manage the processes and to report to senior staff as to the volume, speed, and accuracy of the processes.
• To educate and train those involved on the CM standards.

VP of ENGINEERING:

• To assure that the CM function has the necessary resources, training and authority to perform its functions.

Authorization

Why Process Speed Is Important

• How can the process speed be important? These processes are “just paper/online processing,” how can speed matter? Other than saying “time is money” what specifically in fast processes contribute to improved profits?
• The best way to answer these questions is to ask more questions? It is a good idea to have 20-minute meetings with the people involved in the process and ask them to brainstorm why speed is important!
• The questions to ask:
  • How fast/slow is the current process? Perhaps 20 or 40 days?
  • How fast might the process be? Perhaps 5 days? Is there more than a few hours of “hands on time” to process a change?
  • What happens during the 15 to 35 unnecessary days?
  • What are suppliers doing? Building items that will have to be returned, reworked or scrapped?
  • What is the shop doing? Building items that will have to be reworked or scrapped?
  • What is assembly and test doing? Working on items that will have to be reworked/retested or scrapped?
  • Is the line or part of the line “down”? Do we want to keep it that way for 15 to 35 extra days?
  • Will the change be retrofit? Will we ship 15 to 35 more days worth of product to be retrofit in the field or factory returned?
  • What if the change is a real cost reduction? Should we ship 15 to 35 days worth of product at the higher cost?
  • Did the customer request the fix or feature? Should we make the customer wait 15 to 35 unnecessary days to get it?
  • Is the site down? Would you like to be the field service person taking the heat during 15 to 35 extra days?
  • What is 15 to 35 days of customer good will worth?

Benefits of a Fast, Accurate and Well-Understood CM System

• Help get new products into the market faster. Reduce delivery time for customized product.
• Happier customers because they will see the new option, change or feature they requested much quicker.
• Reduce significantly the manufacturing “bone piles” of rework and scrap material.
• Improve Bill of Material accuracy and save the corresponding material and parts costs.
• Eliminate multiple Bill of Material databases and save the costs of maintaining the databases and eliminating the risks associated with multiple databases.
• Reduce field maintenance, retrofit and repair cost.
• Reduce ERP/PLM run time. Avoid weekend runs that spill into Mondays.
• Know exactly what is non-interchangeable in each product or every product change as required.
• Improve the understanding and communications between engineering and manufacturing and others.
• Clarify responsibilities to eliminate finger pointing.
• Save wear and tear on CM technicians, configuration managers, master schedulers, and engineers.
• Sort out changes that are not needed or aren’t cost effective. Cut distribution and save paper and printing costs.
• Comply with commercial, government agency, and international standards.
• Qualify as a best-in-class producer.