Practical approach to using consultants

Due to pressures from the marketplace as a direct result from the economical climate, manufacturers within the flammable gas detector sector have had to bring new and innovative technology to the market in very short periods. With optical gas detectors, manufacturers have had to accelerate the programme to ensure completion within 14 months. Changes have occurred over that have led to a new practice of working. As a matter of routine, products are now developed in tandem with the manufacturing process to ensure that the new device not only accomplishes all of the technical design target but can also be efficiently manufactured. As part of the design exercise to try and ensure that the final product will meet the market requirements, various customers are included in the development team. With the changes to increased complexity, reduced cost and accelerated development programmes it has been necessary to augment the development teams with expert outside resources. This is where Sieger has found the use of outside consultants of particular value. The author discusses when consultants are used and briefly lists some practical examples