Robust development processes by holistic quality control

Simultaneous engineering has recently found favour with a number of companies in an effort to reduce the time to market. The price to be paid for the time thus saved is, however, more complex operations and structures. As an interfacial function, quality management must address this problem. A concept which is currently developed at the Fraunhofer IPT combines the idea of simultaneous engineering with the systematic implementation of the internal customer-supplier principle. This concept permits the combined application of techniques and measures to achieve an optimum level of internal and external customer satisfaction. This promotes an environment in which the organization of operations is questioned repeatedly by the continuous recording of any occurrence of conflicts and faults/errors. In consequence it is a highly effective means of ensuring continuous process enhancement.