Change Control of Key Capability Factors in Product Research and Development

Change control is considered as the prime power and obstruction of growth. During product research and development, it is difficult to avoid various engineering changes (ECs). Appropriate control of ECs can improve the design and quality of products. This study examines aerospace products from development to production over 17 years including 1180 cases of EC. We use statistical methods to analyze the central and dispersion tendency of the products research and development and then test it to find which key capability factors are important to EC. Some required ECs for a typical aerospace product development are investigated. In this study, key factors for aerospace products are classified into nine categories: Structure, subsystem, electrics, control, electronics, interface, manufacture, engine and others. The results show that the life cycle of electronic parts and time to implement ECs is four to seven years and the electronics manufacturer must improve risk management in product research and development stages to reduce engineering changes effectively. Further, a regression model is developed to recompose integrated planning for controlling the cost and scheduling. Thus, the communication of various designs and the control of ECs can be improved in the initial stages of product research and development.