Engineering Systems and Concepts
Contents:
Engineering Information Systems Concepts
- Engineering Systems in the 21st Century
- What Are the Technology Fundamentals?
- How To Identify the Economics of Information Technology in Product Development
- How to Perform Product Development Operations Management Efficiently
- How To Develop an Effective Training Program
- How To Develop the Engineering Organization
- How To Perform Day-To-Day Operations
- How To Develop Effective Procedures
- Programming Engineering Systems
- What Are the Engineering Systems Trends?
- How To Make Effective Use of Outside Consultants
- How To Make Effective Use of Service Bureaus
- Reading Sources
Engineering Information Systems Concepts
This Information Service is designed to help managers who are challenged by the rapid growth of the Engineering Information Systems industry to become better informed, more organized, and more productive. The service will help the Engineering Systems manager to increase productivity, improve user morale and performance, and work more effectively with manufacturing and other departments. By following the advice provided, the Engineering Systems manager should significantly improve his or her performance and gain the respect of executive management.
The services will provide information to effective engineering systems management and will explore the efficient use of engineering systems today. By providing a comparison with other users, we will help you to determine his department’s strengths and weaknesses. You will benefit by reviewing problems that typically confront most Engineering Systems managers, and that other users have already solved. It will help the manager to communicate ideas quickly and easily to co-workers, and to identify and reach specific goals necessary for more effective management of the engineering system.
To realize the vision of the virtual factory environment, engineering and manufacturing managers will have to overcome many obstacles. The successful manager will have to be able to handle technology processes and people. Most importantly the Engineering Systems manager will have to make the best use of resources available, especially during the start-up period.
Included in these services are invaluable aids and advice for managing the operations of an Engineering Systems facility. Information that the Engineering Systems manager needs from day-to-day is compiled into a form that is useful and easy to find. This information is meant to be a working aid: we can provide many charts, graphs, and checklists that the manager will want to review from time to time in order to stay on course. It should help with streamlining operations, increasing productivity, and bringing the Engineering Systems team to its full operating potential through proper management.
1. Engineering Systems in the 21st Century
1.1 Engineering Systems Acceptance and Capabilities
- Overview
- The Key Points of Successful Operations
- The Key Points of Unsuccessful Operations
- What Are the Critical Success Factors?
1.2 Who Uses Engineering Information Systems?
- Surveys
- Other Users
1.3 Engineering Information Systems Applications
- Group Applications
- Applications By Category
- Specific Applications
1.4 Typical User Complaints and Concerns
- General Concerns
- Specific Complaints
1.5 User Compliments
- Global Features
- Specific Commands
1.6 How Do We Achieve Productivity Returns?
- Industry Averages
- Exceptions
1.7 How Do We Achieve Personnel Development?
- Background
- Potential
1.8 What Are the Benefits of Engineering Systems?
- Within the Department
- Company-wide
2. What Are the Technology Fundamentals?
2.1 What Is the Scope of Technology in a Virtual Environment?2.2 What You Should Know About Information Systems?
- Rules/Recommendations
- Information Systems Basics
- Computer Codes
- Storage/Database Management
2.3 What Are the Components of Engineering Systems Technology?
- Drafting 2-D
- Drafting 3-D Wireframe
- Solid Modeling
- Dimension-driven Drafting
- FEM
- CAM
- CIM
- Robotics
- Data Exchange and Networking
2.4 What to Expect From Your Engineering System
- Performance Features
- Reliability
- Other Applications
2.5 Commands You Should Know
- Suggestions
- Examples
2.6 What Are the Shortcuts and Techniques to Efficient Design?
- Engineering Systems Tips
- Proven Techniques/Examples
2.7 How Do You Handle New Designs?
- Design Layout
- Common Database
2.8 How Do We Handle Interdepartmental Interface?
- Methods/Recommendations
2.9 How Do We handle Special Projects?
- Examples
- Implementation
3. How To Identify the Economics of Information Technology in Product Development
3.1. How To Manage Savings, Costs and Return on Investment
- Savings
- Costs
- Return on Investment
3.2 How To Manage Expected Productivity Returns
- Methods For Calculation
- By Engineering Function
- Improvement Over Time
- “High-End” Exceptions
- Other Factors Affecting Engineering Systems Productivity
3.3 Cost Per Terminal Hour
- System Costs
- Cost Per Terminal Hour
3.4 Utilizing PC’s as Engineering Systems Terminals
- Costs
- Application Theory
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
3.5 How To Identify Engineering Systems Utilization Economics
- Cost Allocation
- Project Hours To Engineering Systems Use Ratio
3.6 How To Achieve Key Areas of Savings-Engineering
- Facility Personnel
- Other Areas of Savings
3.7 How To Achieve Key Areas of Savings-Manufacturing
- Facility Personnel
- Other Areas of Savings
3.8 How To Achieve Key Areas of Savings-Sales and Other Departments
- Department Personnel
- Other Areas of Savings
3.9 How To Manage Personnel Compensation
4. How to Perform Product Development Operations Management Efficiently
4.1 The Typical Product Development Operations Issues
- Life Cycle Profile
- Manager’s profile
- Typical Management Problems
- Engineering Systems Inefficiencies
- Other Management Concerns
4.2 How To Identify Responsibility and Authority
- Identifying Responsibility and Authority in Product Development
- Identifying Other Responsibilities
- Establishing the Challenge and the Reward
4.3 How To Improve Communications with other Departments
- How To Identify Confrontation Versus Collaboration
- New Approaches
- Introducing Lateral Thinking
4.4 How To Improve Communications Within Your Department
- Survey of Typical Operations
- Education Required
- Formal and Informal Communication Links
- How To Improve Feedback and Follow-up
4.5 How To Improve Communications Within the Engineering Systems Group
- How To Define Group Charter and Policy
- A Communication Corridor
- How To Manage Meetings, Action Items, and Follow-up
4.6 How To Organize the Engineering Systems Facility
- Facility Design and Support
- Facility Expansion
4.7 How To Define Company Operations, Policy and Procedures
- Information Flow
- Company Goals
- Engineering Systems Applied to Company Goals
4.8 How To Establish General Management Guidelines
- Managing Yourself
- Managing Others
- Managing Time
- Managing Priorities
- Decision-Making
- Problem-Solving
4.9 How To Establish Personnel Management – Training
- Hiring
- Training
- Personnel Problems Unique to Engineering Systems Operations
- Individual Career Planning
- Tips on Motivating Engineering Systems Personnel
- Encouraging Creativity
5. How To Develop an Effective Training Program
5.1 How To Define the Need for Training
- CAD Operator Proficiency
- Basic Requirements
- Lead Individual
- Other Operators
5.2 How To Manage the Training Investment in Dollars and Time
- Initial Training Costs
- Loss of Production Time
5.3 How To Develop and Perform Technical Training
- System Training By Vendor
- Software Vendor Training
- Training By Others (Consultants)
5.4 How To Develop and Perform In-House Training
- Problems
- Advantages
- Methods
- Tips
5.5 How To Develop and Perform Advanced Training
- Lead Individual
- Types of Training
5.6 How To Develop and Perform Self-Teaching Courses
- Definition
- Examples
- Advantages
- Design and Application Hints
6. How To Develop the Engineering Organization
6.1 How To Set Up the Engineering Systems Technical Team
- Where to Begin
- Survey of Other Experience
- Determining Team Structure
- Selection of Team Members
6.2 How To Define Job Descriptions
- Engineering Systems Team Responsibilities
- Engineering Systems Operator
- Engineering Systems Designer
- Engineering Systems Programmer
- Engineering Systems Engineer
- Engineering Systems Manager
6.3 How To Define Department Organization
- Initial Engineering Systems Installation
- Future Engineering Systems Installation
6.4 How To Define Engineering Systems Within the Company
- Engineering Group
- Engineering Department
- Engineering/Manufacturing
- Engineering Systems Company-wide
6.5 How To Define Facility Organization and Growth Tree
- Initial Facility Organization, Engineering
- Facility Organization, Engineering/Manufacturing
- Facility Organization, Company-wide
6.6 How To Plan for Future Growth
- Planning for Imminent Growth
- Need for Planning Ahead
- Guidelines
6.7 How To Manage the Engineering Systems Committee
- Charter
- Membership
- Activities
- Action Items
- Follow-Up
7. How To Perform Day-To-Day Operations
7.1 What Are the Key Considerations
- Productive Operations
- Responsible Operations
- Morale
- Group/System Development
- Personnel Development
7.2 What Are the System Configuration/Operational Procedures
- “General Rules” for Increasing Operational Performance
- Recommendation for Smooth Operations
7.3 What Are the Group Charter and Goals
- Immediate Objectives (0-12 months)
- Tactical Objectives (13-24 months)
- Strategic Objectives (25-60 months)
7.4 How To Organize Projects/Scheduling
- How Do Things Get Off Track?
- Intelligent Work Assignments
- Scheduling
- Activity and Progress Reports
7.5 Achieving Productive Operations
- Priorities of Work Assignments
- Managing Time
- Production Assignments
- Productivity Review
- Special Applications
- Background Operations
7.6 Developing a Library Parts/Menus
- Definition and Purpose
- Application
- Examples
7.7 Developing Programming and Other Productivity Enhancers
- Programming Applications
- Examples
- Recommendations
7.8 Developing Research and Development
- The Need for R & D
- Methods of R & D
- Results of Others
7.9 How To Perform Filing, Retrieval, and Security
- Parts Classification
- Filing Systems
- “Password” Retrieval
- “Read Only” Retrieval
- System Backup
- System Security
7.10 How To Perform Multi-Shift Operations
- Advantages
- Disadvantages and Problems
- Recommendations
7.11 System Maintenance
- Manufacturers’ Recommendations
- Group Responsibility
- Methods
7.12 How To Manage Inter-Departmental Interfaces
- The Common Database
- Database Management
- Equipment Compatibility
- Working with Other Departments
- Future Expansion Within the Organization
8. How To Develop Effective Procedures
8.1 Concepts of Procedures
- Scope
- Contents
8.2 Defining Departmental Responsibilities and Interface
- Work Requests
- Responsibilities of Engineering Systems Design and Management
- Responsibilities of Design Engineering
- Responsibilities of Project Management
- Responsibilities of Data Processing and Support Services
8.3 Defining Data and Document Classifications and Types
- Bills of Materials
- Engineering Indexes and Lists
- Engineering Systems Text Files
- Engineering Systems Library Parts and Symbols
- Engineering Systems Menus
- Programs
- Master Drawings/Multi-Layer
- Templates
- Standard Drawings
- Proposal Drawings
- Engineering Drawings
- Three-Dimensional Geometry
- N/C Data
- Electrical, Electronic, and Piping Flow Diagrams
- Sketches
- Customer and Vendor Drawings
- Manufacturing and Master Comparator Drawings
- Manufacturing Open Items
- Operation and Maintenance Manuals
- Specifications
- Data Transmittals
8.4 Performing Numbering and Filing
- Problems and Recommendations
- Data Classifications
- Lists
- Part Number Files
8.5 Managing Data Format
- Guidelines
- Drawings and Sketches
- Notes
- Specifications
- Programs
- Other Data
8.6 Managing Approval Procedures
- History
- Problems
- Engineering Control
- Recommendations
- Data Release and Transmittals
8.7 Managing Revision Procedures
- Engineering Indexes and Lists
- Engineering Systems Programs
- Library Parts and Symbols
- Drawings
- Revisions to Procedures
8.8 Managing Filing, Security, and Back-Up Procedures
- Importance
- Recommendations
- Engineering Systems Programs and Other Data
- Drawings
8.9 Managing Data Transmittal Procedures
- Initial Methods
- Future Methods
8.10 Managing Operational Procedures
9. Programming Engineering Systems
9.1 Defining the Need for Programming
- Computer Fortes
- Programming Application
9.2 Graphics Tablets/Menus
- Definition
- Application
- Examples
9.3 Text Files
- Definition
- Application
- Examples
9.4 Parametric Processing Programs
- Definition
- Application
- Examples
9.5 Other Programs
- Types
- Applications
- Examples
9.6 Program Modules
- Purpose
- Applications
9.7 Combining Programs
- Methods
- Applications
9.8 Demonstration Programs
- Need
- Examples
- Recommendations
9.9 Working with the Programmer
- What the Manager Should Know About Programming
- Manager’s Contribution
- Creating New Programs
- Methods/Examples
- Recommendations
9.10 Programs You Should Have
- Operating Systems Tasks
- General
- Technical
9.11 Your Program Library
- Creating New Programs
- Filing
- Maintaining
10. What Are the Engineering Systems Trends?
10.1 Profile of Future Engineering Systems Technology
- Overview
- Predictions
10.2 Manufacturers’ Future Plans
- Production
- Hardware/Software
10.3 Users’ Future Plans
- Applications
- Exchanging Engineering Systems Data
- Hardware and Software Acquisitions
10.4 IGES and Government Future Plans
- Standards
- Contract Prerequisites
10.5 Industry Trends
10.5.1 Applications
10.5.2 Hardware
10.5.3 Software
10.6 Summary
11. How To Make Effective Use of Outside Consultants
11.1 Why A Consultants?
- What Can Go Wrong?
- Why a Consultant?
11.2 Do You Need A Consultant?
- Checklist
11.3 Selecting a Consultant
- Checklist
11.4 What the Consultant Should Do For You
- Checklist
11.5 How To Work with the Consultant
- Information You Must Provide
- Defining Action Items/Guidelines
- Consultant’s Recommendations
- Follow-up On Action Items
11.6 Special Projects
- Definition of Special Projects
- Why a Consultant?
- Monitor Performance/Milestones
- Follow-up
12. How To Make Effective Use of Service Bureaus
12.1 What are CAD Service Bureaus?
- Definition
- Advantages of Hiring a Service Bureau
12.2 Do You Need a Service Bureau?
- If You Don’t Have CAD
- If You Do Have CAD
12.3 Selecting a Service Bureau
- Considerations
- Benchmark
- How To Find A Service Bureau
12.4 What A Service Bureau Should Do For You
- Checklist
12.5 How To Work with A Service Bureau
- Information You Must Provide
12.6 Special Projects
- Definition of Special Projects
- Service Bureaus Versus Consultants
- Monitor Performance/Milestones
- Follow-up
12.7 Summary