CONCURRENT ENGINEERING CASE-STUDIES APPLYING QFD MODELS

This paper extends the previous work in which two QFD models, a ''2-st oried quality chart'' and a ''Parallel flow quality chart,'' were prop osed as tools for concurrent engineering product development driven by a matrix organization. This paper compares these two models with two real cases from a major international project of a Japanese automobile company in the 1980s. The first case relates to the product planning and development processes which were focused on the European market re quirements. The second case relates to the introduction processes of t his product into the Japanese market. The paper follows these two case s and compares development activities, development processes etc. with the abstract elements and procedures in the two theoretical models. B y this comparison the abstract elements and concepts of these models a re concretely explained. In this way understanding of these models; in cluding the concepts behind them, is facilitated. Moreover, it is show n that the case studies on the basis of these QFD models facilitate in sight into the complicated real development cases which would otherwis e be understood only by experts. In this way this paper proves validit y of the two QFD models as good management tools.