COMPUTER AIDS FOR ENGINEERING CHANGE CONTROL

Our recent survey within the UK manufacturing industry has highlighted that engineering change control (ECC) is a significant issue in produ ct development. There have appeared a large number of computer-aided E CC systems, commercially available or developed in-house. However, onl y a small number of companies have used, or are considering using, suc h computer aids to facilitate ECC process and activities, although the se aids are generally perceived to have important roles to play. This implies the existence of a clear gap between what is used and what is available. This paper attempts to explain the gap and explore ways to fill it. This is accomplished by establishing a set of characteristics from practitioners' points of view under the categories of functional ity, usability, flexibility and focus. Existing systems can be assesse d against, and new developments can be guided by, these desirable requ irements. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.