Towards a framework for synchronization of Systems- And Mechanical/Electrical Engineering processes on multiple dimensions

Abstract

Today's product development is defined by the complexity in products, processes and a global collaboration. The ability to synchronize processes like Systems Engineering and Mechanical/Electrical Engineering running in parallel into an aligned and transparent value-stream is a key success factor for industry to address the concurrent, iterative and multidisciplinary challenges of future aircraft programs. In practice, a lack of seamless and harmonized processes and tools, hinder an efficient virtual product development. Thus the problems should be considered from multiple perspectives. Therefore this paper presents a multidimensional Framework to enhance collaboration and synchronization between separated disciplines on the dimensions Communication, Processes, Tools and Product Data, embedding the emerging methods of Model-based Engineering and Product Lifecycle Management. The framework helps to make complex multidimensional dependencies between engineering disciplines more explicit to engineers, thus guides process improvement activities and helps to apply limited state of the art solutions aligned towards the overall goal of synchronization of disciplines. © Springer-Verlag London 2013.