One of the greatest benefits of applying process management to engineering operations is its ability to help build quality into the product development program. As mentioned earlier in this book, the methodology does this through a combination of people process and technology. It encourages user involvement and effective communication and applies techniques and results in complete documentation. In short, it helps focus on one of our most important goals: to provide high-quality engineering focused on customer needs. In this chapter, we look at the program review process and its role in ensuring product and process quality.

QUALITY ASSURANCE FACTORS

The quality assurance process helps ensure that work gets done correctly the first time, by assisting you in addressing those factors that are essential to a quality assurance (QA) effort. They include

1. ❍ Focusing on the customer/partner expectations

2. ❍ Doing the right task the right way the first time – First, concentrate on making sure that the right work is being done correctly, then focus on doing it faster.

3. ❍ Following a proven approach to integrated product development, a way of building quality into the process and the product from the start

4. ❍ Using proven program planning and tracking techniques – Framing a well made plan and then monitoring its execution is a way of infusing a program with quality from the start.

5. ❍ Providing for training and education – Training is an essential part of improving quality in the product development process.