New Part Number vs Revision Level in Product Management One of the most debated topics in product management and configuration management is the decision between New Part Number and Revision Level. When should a design change require a brand-new part number?When is a revision level update sufficient? The answer affects traceability, supply chain management, quality control, […]
Why Software-Defined Vehicles Demand Stronger Verification and Validation Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) are reshaping automotive engineering. Vehicle behavior is no longer fixed at production; it evolves through over-the-air (OTA) updates, software feature toggles, and AI-enabled decision logic. This shift dramatically raises the stakes for SDV verification. Personally, I think treating a vehicle like IT equipment may […]
The Iterative Development Process in Modern Product Development The iterative development process is not a single activity or phase—it is a system of interconnected disciplines working together throughout the product lifecycle. The attached graphic illustrates this system as a set of interlocking gears, each representing a critical capability required to move from concept to successful […]
Deterministic vs Probabilistic: Definitions that Matter in Engineering In engineering, deterministic vs. probabilistic refers to how we model cause-and-effect relationships and uncertainty. The difference between the two requires concepts that are important and should drive how we behave. A deterministic view assumes that the same inputs will always produce the same output; given the system […]
Welcome to the Project Management Failure Olympics Ah, project management failure, the unsung art form of modern enterprise! Anyone can deliver a project successfully—boring. But to craft a truly magnificent fiasco? That takes vision, overconfidence, and a Gantt chart that looks like spaghetti. The goal isn’t to finish the project. No, it’s to appear incredibly busy while chaos spreads […]
The ROI Trap in Equipment Maintenance Decisions It is cool when I hear engineers early in their career chat with me about their engineering, both design and manufacturing. about, well, I want to say face-palm moments. One such example is when executives often ask for ROI on equipment maintenance numbers, even though the line has long […]
Why SDVs Demand Stronger Verification and Validation The shift to software‑defined vehicles (SDVs) is transforming automotive engineering—and multiplying its risks. As ECUs consolidate into centralized compute platforms and features increasingly rely on AI, machine learning, and over‑the‑air (OTA) updates, safety, cybersecurity, and reliability take center stage. This complexity makes verification and validation (V&V) more critical than ever. Regulators are tightening expectations […]
The Growing Myth of OTA Quick Fixes The automotive industry loves the promise of OTA software updates. The idea that misbehavior in the field can be “fixed remotely” has become part of both product strategy and marketing. Industry voices often proclaim, “If something goes wrong, we’ll just push an update.” Yet, rising software-related recalls and increasing regulatory scrutiny tell a […]
What Is IATF 16949 Standard? The IATF 16949 standard is the global benchmark for automotive quality management systems, built on ISO 9001 and tailored to the automotive supply chain. It defines how organizations design, develop, produce, install, and service automotive products while continually improving, preventing defects, and reducing variation and waste. Standards often get a […]