Title: Concurrent engineering experiences in high-tech defence projects

Authors: A. Sivathanu Pillal, V.N. Lal, K. Srinivasa Rao

Addresses: Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Kanchanbagh (Post), Hyderabad 500 258, India. Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Kanchanbagh (Post), Hyderabad 500 258, India. Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Kanchanbagh (Post), Hyderabad 500 258, India

Abstract: The Indian Guided Missile Programme may be the first in the country to adapt the philosophy of concurrent engineering (CE) for the development of high-technology weapon systems. The management of IGMDP took enormous risk and proceeded with the concurrent development of the technology, the product, as well as the establishment of production facilities. During the implementation of this concurrent development and production process, a number of hurdles have been encountered which further led to the development of new ideas, tools and techniques to realise the weapon systems in shorter time frames. The net result of these efforts is not only the saving in time from the design of weapon systems to their induction, but also the build-up in technological confidence that swept through all those organisations that participated in this programme. This paper presents the experiences of the Indian Guided Missile Programme in implementing the various concurrent engineering practices.

Keywords: concurrent engineering; consortia; organisational culture; design reviews; Indian Guided Missile Programme; investment risk; multi-functional teams pre-production reviews; programme management; technical uncertainties; technology transfer; transition management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1997.002587

International Journal of Technology Management, 1997 Vol.14 No.6/7/8, pp.712-726

Published online: 29 Jul 2003 *

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