Swegon North America, a market leader in sustainable indoor environment solutions, strived for a clearer operational picture to identify friction points threatening business success. As part of my LEAN Six Sigma training program, I spearheaded a research project to explore whether communication gaps within the engineering change management process were incurring significant costs.
In collaboration with key stakeholders, we highlighted existing silos and risks in the engineering and manufacturing process, leading to a compelling business case. Armed with a detailed research plan outlining the challenges, resources required, and supporting team members, we unravelled the intricacies of the engineering change management process.
Our exploration began with an in-depth study of Engineering Change Orders (ECO) in the manufacturing domain. ECOs are the backbone of administering and controlling changes. They ensure seamless adjustments to the Bill of Materials (BOM), product components, manufacturing and procurement processes, and customer requirements.
Collaborative workshops with subject matter experts from various functional areas, such as Project Management, Engineering, and Operations, shed light on the broader impact of the existing engineering change management process.
With the aid of subject matter experts, we meticulously crafted functional deployment maps, offering a vivid end-to-end perspective.
The flow mapping exercise unearthed a chain of common pain points, classified as root causes and resulting issues. After synthesizing the research, we presented a list of recommendations for elevating the engineering change management process across the business.
Venturing into unfamiliar territory at the project's onset proved rewarding, allowing fresh perspectives to enrich the endeavour.
Key takeaways:
After presenting the findings to company executives, I documented the project and completed the LEAN Six Sigma Green Belt program. This transformative experience has propelled me further as a designer, equipped with a newfound appreciation for the power of effective communication in engineering change management.