SYSTEMSENGINEERING ANDCONCURRENT ENGINEERING: WHAT'S IN IT FORMANUFACTURERS OF MATURE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS?

Abstract

Studies on both systems engineering and concurrent engineering tend to be set in the context of high-technology industries: typically weapon systems and aerospace for the former and the automobile industry for the latter. In South Africa, for historical reasons, a large segment.of manufacturing industry comprises mature, relatively low-technology heavy mechanical and electrical engineering companies manufacturing industrial products. This paper examines the common ground between systems engineering, concurrent engineering, and the challenges of managing and rejuvenating mature businesses. A combined product development process, tailored to meet the needs ofmanufacturers ofmature industrial products, is presented.