Integrated diagnostics from a concurrent engineering perspective

Integrated diagnostics (ID) issues, drivers, problems, solutions, and implementation are discussed. It is concluded that budget cuts in the 1990s and the severity of the operational problems will force implementation of ID in the military. It is suggested that concurrent engineering will be the vehicle for ID implementation. ID as a key strategy for the implementation of concurrent engineering is explored. New DoD (US Department of Defense) requirements include the need for concurrent engineering and total quality management. It is argued that ignoring these initiatives as merely DoD's latest buzzwords may put companies at a major disadvantage in acquiring new defense business. Concurrent engineering requires that manufacturing and support be considered up-front in the design process. Integrated diagnostics is considered as a process discipline that bridges the design-manufacturing-support gap.<<ETX>>