REENGINEERING THE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS WITH DESIGN FOR X

Shortcomings of sequential engineering and advantages of concurrent en gineering in product development have become better understood. Howeve r, the transformation from a sequential engineering environment to a c oncurrent engineering environment remains challenging. A dynamic trans formation approach by combining the focused application of 'design for X' (DFX) with the extensive use of business process re-engineering (B PR) is discussed in this paper. The main role of DFX is to provide the drive, focus, vision and concurrence necessary for BPR, while the mai n role of BPR is to institutionalize good practice and make improvemen t permanent and continuous.