Quality management mode and process in concurrent engineering

The problems of quality management (QM) in traditional consecutive development were analyzed, and it was pointed out that there were essential differences between QM in concurrent development mode and that in consecutive development mode. One was modification or change in work process, and the other was cooperation within Integrated Product Team (IPT) members aiming at product quality improvement. According to the characteristics of concurrent development, QM mode and process models appropriate to Concurrent Engineering (CE) were established. The models were able to demonstrate QM responsibility distribution, specific QM work patterns and flow, as well as quality information processing and transfer among the development phases. The models provided guidance and reference about how to enhance quality management of product development process.