The power of data and proper data management are increasingly being embraced by manufacturing businesses as they embark on the journey to become truly data-driven organisations. Quick Release is uniquely focused on this, connecting the operating model silos to curate timely, accurate and human centric information flows. Recognising that the foundation of a Data-driven Organisation is data quality. QR_‘s experience has led to an approach to NPD and PDM that connects silos, and marries the efficiency and precision of a best-in-class process of timely, accurate, and human-centric insights.

When working with start-ups, Engineering Change Management (ECM) is often among the first processes identified as required and implemented by the QR_ team. This paper outlines the key pre-requisites that should be in place for ECM to function effectively. For each area, a minimum and ideal requirement specification has been outlined. Although having the ‘ideal’ requirements in place will help ECM function more effectively from day one and reduce process iterations, making decisions and implementing change management quickly is the priority to gain control of the change throughput. Therefore, a balance must be struck between speed and creating an ideal environment for implementation.

How the automotive chip shortage came about, and how better use of existing data can mitigate against supply chain disruption.

Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR) are revolutionizing the engineering field, offering transformative benefits beyond traditional methods. These technologies provide immersive experiences by merging digital and physical realms, allowing for enhanced design, prototyping, and training. Engineers can use VR/MR to iterate designs, simulate real-world scenarios safely, and collaborate remotely, breaking down geographical barriers. The result is increased accuracy, cost efficiency, and faster time to market, making these technologies invaluable in today's competitive landscape. While there are challenges like initial setup costs and the need for specialized training, the advantages far outweigh these hurdles. Discover how VR and MR can streamline operations, enhance learning, and improve project outcomes in the engineering sector.

This article is your gateway to mastering the often-overlooked yet critical aspect of product development: BOM Management. Imagine avoiding costly errors, reducing production delays, and ensuring every team member is always on the same page—all by having a well-managed Bill of Materials. By diving into this read, you will discover how BOM Management serves as the backbone of efficient and error-free product creation. From the initial blueprint to the final product, understanding the ins and outs of BOM Management will transform how you approach every project.

In today's data-driven world, the role of a Chief Data Officer (CDO) has evolved into a crucial leadership position. This article explores how CDOs transform raw data into strategic assets, ensuring its accuracy, completeness, and security. By fostering a data-driven culture, CDOs break down silos and enhance decision-making across departments, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI and machine learning to drive innovation. They play a critical role in governance, protecting organizations from data breaches and ensuring compliance with global regulations. Discover why a CDO is not just a data guardian but a catalyst for business growth and competitive advantage. Whether you're considering adding this role to your company or already have one, this article will provide valuable insights into the strategic importance of a CDO.

As the Electric Vehicle (EV) market experiences unprecedented growth, it faces significant challenges that can hinder progress. This article by Mehrdad Safaieh delves into the complexities of rapid market expansion, emphasizing the critical role of effective release and change management in overcoming engineering delays, integrating multiple systems, and ensuring efficient data handling. Highlighting a dual approach of consulting and doing, it showcases how our team's hands-on involvement in managing complex processes and data has led to measurable success in EV startups. By tackling both theoretical and practical aspects, the article provides valuable insights and strategies to help EV companies navigate through the intricacies of growth, innovation, and market entry, offering a roadmap for startups to not only survive but thrive in the competitive EV landscape.

From designing intricate aircraft to managing global supply chains to complex national and international regulations, aerospace engineers grapple with a myriad of complexities every day. However, amidst these challenges lies an invaluable tool: Product Data Management (PDM). The aerospace industry is no stranger to challenges, but with the right tools at their disposal, employees can soar to new heights. Product Data Management is more than just a solution; it's a lifeline for aerospace companies navigating the complexities of modern engineering. By harnessing the power of PDM, aerospace companies can chart a course to success, ensuring compliance, enhancing efficiency, and driving innovation in the skies above.

Product Data Management (PDM) is pivotal in modern industrial processes, ensuring efficient product development and management through organized data. Despite its crucial role, women remain underrepresented in PDM, highlighting the necessity of gender diversity for innovation. A diverse workforce brings together individuals with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. This diversity of thought fosters innovative problem-solving approaches and encourages creativity within the organization. When teams are composed of individuals with varied viewpoints, they are more likely to challenge assumptions, explore alternative solutions, and generate novel ideas. This diversity-driven creativity can lead to breakthrough innovations, competitive advantages, and adaptability in an ever-changing business landscape.

By now, most of us have read one of the media articles covering the National Audit Office’s unveiling of the metaphoric elephant in the room, which is the unaffordability of the MOD equipment plan due to a £16.9bn ‘black hole’. In this article, QR_’s Shane Mason takes a high-level look at how practices from the automotive sector should be considered as a means to help reduce costs for the MOD equipment plan.

The power of data and proper data management are increasingly being embraced by manufacturing businesses as they embark on the journey to become truly data-driven organisations. Quick Release is uniquely focused on this, connecting the operating model silos to curate timely, accurate and human centric information flows. Recognising that the foundation of a Data-driven Organisation is data quality. QR_‘s experience has led to an approach to NPD and PDM that connects silos, and marries the efficiency and precision of a best-in-class process of timely, accurate, and human-centric insights.

Based on client and peer feedback, QR_ returns to the Forbes 'World's Best Management Consulting Firms' list for the second time following the index's introduction in 2022. Here’s our take on how we can mix it with the heavy hitters and in many cases come out on top.

Traditionally BoM validation is conducted either manually by engineers that understand the product (e.g. BoM Audits, Build Matrices, Commodity Quantity Checks etc.) or through simply building the product (either virtually or physically) and finding the errors that result. Both methods are highly costly in time and material waste. These experiments aim to find a third way, by using the recent advances in Foundation Models to create a smart and repeatable method of performing fast and accurate AI powered BoM Validation at scale. These some early reflections on working with LLMs in this context. | Image: “a large language model in the style of the earliest computing 1950s”, generated by Midjourney.

When referring to business capabilities, from PDM to PLM, Industry 4.0, manufacturing execution, etc., driving change requires a combination of strategic and operational leadership. As Lionel Grealou, business advisor and founder of Xlifecycle Ltd, put it in one of his Industry Reflections: “Implementing new capabilities involves continuous levels of business alignment and change management to ensure effective adoption. A key challenge in appraising capabilities is maintaining objectivity—considering relevance against the business plan, and/or the product development plan (NPD), as well as the ability of the organization to change.”

Like road-cycling grand tours, PLM strategies and roadmaps require timely cross-functional teamwork, ongoing expectation management, and adjustments in anticipation of and in reaction to changing requirement landscapes and technical factors.