Methodology, technology and practice of concurrent engineering

Concurrent Engineering (CE) is a systematic approach for product life cycle integration based on the information integration of CIMS. It shortens product lead-time, improves product quality and reduces product cost through organizing multi-discipline product developing team, re-engineering product developing process and adopting CE oriented computer tools. This paper analyses the essential features and the typical methodology and technology of CE. It point out that CE should balance the four aspects of reforming product developing team, defining customer requirements, building development environment, and applying new technology in product developing process. Also, automated CE should pass three stages of information integration, process integration and automated decision support. Finally, some examples of CE implementation introduced and the practical implementation action of CE in enterprises is discussed.