Analysis of key characteristic methods and enablers used in variation risk management
Basak Ertan · 1998
Key Characteristics (KC) are used by many engineering companies, including aerospace, to manage the risk of variation in complex products. Effective KC implementation improves the quality of the product, reduces manufacturing variation, and reduces cost of design and manufacturing. This thesis analyzes several KC practices at the core of Variation Risk Management. Two KC identification approaches are discussed and findings from a series of benchmark studies are reviewed. The KC Maturity Model, which identifies twenty-two practices for KC implementation, is explicitly explained and the relationships between KC practices are discussed. Through a series of benchmark studies, it was identified that high and low volume companies have different levels of implementation success. High and low volume KC implementation is examined using company assessments. The findings about implementation successes and deficiencies are coupled into support, identification, assessment, and mitigation practices. The importance of cross-functional teams for KC implementation is another significant finding which evolved through the research.