Understanding Lean Process Limits Lean principles have transformed how we design and manufacture products. By emphasizing waste reduction, continuous improvement, and customer value, lean thinking drives productivity and focus. Yet, even discipline can turn dangerous when taken to extremes—revealing what we might call the limits of lean processes. Everything has limits, and exceeding those limits […]
What is 2D Barcode Traceability? 2D barcode (also known as QR Code or Data Matrix) traceability drives modern manufacturing efficiency by linking every product to its digital records, including build instructions and test data. Unlike traditional labels, 2D barcodes such as Data Matrix or QR codes can encode a unique job ID, serial number, or […]
Work Instruction Updates: Capturing Continuous Improvement and Tribal Knowledge By Jon M Quigley Why Work Instruction Updates Matter Work instruction updates are more than administrative chores; they are potent tools for continuous improvement and the preservation of tribal knowledge. As organizations adapt to changing customer needs, technological shifts, and workforce turnover, the need to capture, […]
Introduction Manufacturing organizations striving for excellence often rely on two powerful forces: manufacturing continuous improvement and robust documentation. Yet, connecting what truly happens on the shop floor with what gets recorded can be far more challenging than it seems. This gap between practice and documentation often leads to inefficiencies, inconsistent training, and the risk of losing […]
What is a Project Escalation Plan in Product Development? A project escalation plan for product development is a structured approach to identify, address, and resolve issues that threaten a project’s goals, timelines, or budget. These plans ensure problems are managed before they impact overall product success. To illustrate, and this is not my project, I was a […]
Configuration management (CM) and product testing and verification are inextricably linked processes crucial for successful product development and production. Without effective configuration management, performing effective testing becomes difficult. CM provides the foundation for efficient, reliable, and insightful testing activities in today’s complex and constantly evolving systems across automotive, aerospace, defense, and software development industries. This […]
At Value Transformation LLC, we bridge the gap between vision and reality for innovators in the automotive and specialty vehicle sectors. Harnessing decades of hands-on experience and cutting-edge manufacturing, our team delivers. Learning quickly is essential in product development. For example, waiting 10-12 + weeks for prototype wire harnesses delivery does not support this requirement. […]
Introduction In today’s competitive market, understanding the gears of product development is crucial for delivering successful products. Each element—like requirements elicitation, configuration management, and risk management—acts as a gear in a well-oiled machine. When these gears work in harmony, teams can accelerate innovation, minimize risk, and maximize the value of their products. This is not […]
What is Software Download Over the Air (DOTA)? Jon M Quigley Software download over the air (OTA) refers to the wireless delivery of software updates, patches, or new features directly to devices without the need for physical connections or manual intervention. This technology is widely used in smartphones, IoT devices, vehicles, and enterprise systems to […]
Effective Product Testing Execution and my thoughts on this. The outcome can be a disaster if we poorly execute an effective, well-defined process. Below are my thoughts on this link https://www.linkedin.com/posts/robert-fey-78178b154_mrbrokentesting-integrationblindness-testingstrategy-activity-7345338918126432256-OWgo/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAJVUn4BzjTVfTnHgKx3zQWTPI5tYcYTiCM Unit tests pass. If unit testing does not represent the real world, then it means little. Unit testing should go beyond specification limits […]