Is design realization a process? A case study

It is established that design realization is a process in a design organization. Process quality management and improvement techniques are applied to the analysis, and an action plan to improve the process is developed. The analysis of the process indicates that a substantial fraction of the design cycle time is for noncreative activities, such as waiting for models, duplication of effort, unanticipated delays in the delivery of custom piece parts, and redesigns to unstable design requirements. The impact of these delays is to increase the time from product conception to the time the product is available to the customers. Corrective actions, including improvements in schedule tracking by management, developing and meeting milestones, planning the front-end analysis of the design project for marketing and technical feasibility, the formation of an interdisciplinary team to carry the design from conception through manufacturing, and an education program are proposed