Mastering the Engineering Change Process with SOLIDWORKS Manage
Mastering the Engineering Change Process with SOLIDWORKS Manage
Welcome to our fourth session in the six-part series “Idea to Invoice.” In this installment, we’ll delve into how Acme Audio is mastering process control and streamlining their engineering change processes using SOLIDWORKS Manage. Watch the event recording above and follow along with our blog.
Understanding Processes and Workflows
Before dissecting what Acme Audio is accomplishing, let’s clarify some foundational terms. A process can be likened to a roadmap, guiding us from point A to point B, akin to navigating with Google Maps. In contrast, a workflow tracks the status or state of a file—critical yet distinct aspects in project management.
Acme Audio, like many others, navigates several classic processes such as engineering change requests (ECR), product launches, and material review boards. Today, our focus is on the ECR/ECO process—evaluating change requests and seeing them through to an engineering change order.
Challenges with Current Systems
Acme Audio currently employs a mix of PDM, Excel, and an ERP tool for tracking changes. Complex changes that impact multiple designs are not connected to the design files, and there is no visibility from the design files back to the supporting documentation. This disjointed approach lacks visibility, ownership, and flexibility—issues SOLIDWORKS Manage aims to resolve.
Harnessing the Power of SOLIDWORKS Manage
SOLIDWORKS Manage offers Acme Audio unparalleled visibility into ECRs via an intuitive dashboard. Users can easily review a dashboard populated with real-time information about open ECRs, including technical feasibility and cost implications.
Take, for instance, a recent request to evaluate the housing for a speaker assembly. By leveraging SOLIDWORKS Manage, the team can administer detailed evaluations in an organized project structure, ensuring no pertinent information or affected items are overlooked in the change process.
The ECR/ECO Process
A well-documented process begins with defining an ECR, encompassing tasks like feasibility studies and cost analysis. A change committee then reviews each request, ensuring it moves seamlessly through approval stages. Integration with SOLIDWORKS PDM allows for automatic status updates and file interconnections, ensuring no files are left untracked or unaccounted for.
Enhanced Visibility and Flexibility
SOLIDWORKS Manage provides Acme Audio with a comprehensive view of all affected items, ensuring thorough and unerring execution of changes across projects and inventory. Additionally, easy linkage with databases like PDM and ERP tools centralizes information for enhanced data management and process control.
Bridging Communication Gaps
With tools like ECN reports, SOLIDWORKS Manage fosters better communication within Acme Audio, notifying all stakeholders of changes efficiently. This comprehensive visibility is a crucial step toward minimizing the potential for overlooked details or steps in the change process.
Conclusion
Through SOLIDWORKS Manage, Acme Audio has standardized and optimized their ECR and ECO processes. By consolidating various tools into one cohesive system, they’ve achieved reliable, repeatable change management, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
Recapping the Journey
See the complete 6 part “Idea to Invoice” webinar series below:
- Unlocking Seamless Project Management With SOLIDWORKS Manage At Acme Audio
- Enhancing Project Management With Integrated Electrical And Mechanical Design Tools
- Unlocking The Power Of Design Automation With DriveWorks And SOLIDWORKS
- Mastering The Engineering Change Process With SOLIDOWORKS Manage
- Revolutionizing Manufacturing: Embrace 3D Printing And Mastercam For SOLIDWORKS
- Streamlining Manufacturing with DelmiaWorks ERP
About the author
Roland has spent much of his life in the manufacturing industry. He joined MLC North Texas Team in March of 2012 and gained his Elite AE certification shortly after. Although he enjoys training and technical support, he specializes in PDM & Manage implementation.
