Highly Successful Engineering Design Projects AN ...

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Highly Successful Engineering Design ProjectsAN ACTIONABLE ENGINEERINGDESIGN JOURNALby Walt Maclay

http://www.volersystems.com

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Visithttps://www.volersystems.com/blog/project-management/tips-to-successfully-manage-product-development-without-a-technical-background

for more information on project managementof design and sample documents. We can help

you complete your electronic design or firmware project on time and on budget using the project

management techniques in the book.

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Highly Successful EngineeringDesign Projects

Keys to Staying on Budget, on Time, Every Time

Walt Maclay

An Actionable Engineering Design JournalE-mail: [email protected]

20660 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 210

Cupertino, CA 95014

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Copyright © 2019, Walt Maclay

All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means other than through the AHAthat platform or with the same

attribution shown in AHAthat without written permission from the publisher.

Please go tohttp://aha.pub/EngineeringDesignProjects to read

this AHAbook and to share the individualAHAmessages that resonate with you.

Published by THiNKaha®20660 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 210, Cupertino, CA 95014

http://thinkaha.comE-mail: [email protected]

First Printing: July 2019

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-61699-323-8 1-61699-323-5Paperback ISBN: 978-1-61699-322-1 1-61699-322-7

eBook ISBN: 978-1-61699-321-4 1-61699-321-9Place of Publication: Silicon Valley, California, USA

Paperback Library of Congress Number: 2019907893

TrademarksAll terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been

appropriately capitalized. Neither THiNKaha, nor any of its imprints, can attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any

trademark or service mark.

Warning and DisclaimerEvery effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible.

The information provided is on an “as is” basis. The author(s), publisher, and their agents assumeno responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor do they assume liability or responsibility to any

person or entity with respect to any loss or damages arising from the use ofinformation contained herein.

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Acknowledgement

John Dring, VP of engineering at Voler Systems, contributed muchof his great knowledge and experience. He consistently completes

projects on time and on budget, and the products are easy tomanufacture. John is well qualified to contribute!

Kimberly Wiefling, founder and president of Wiefling Consulting,edited and contributed a great deal. She is a noted project manager

who advises design teams around the world.

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Contents

Section ICharacteristics of Highly Successful Engineering Design Projects...................................................9

Section IICritical Steps to Take before Starting a Project................................................................................19

Section IIIMedical Device Requirements............................................................................................................47

Section IVEssential Actions Required during Highly Successful Engineering Design Projects....................61

Section VWarning Signs to Watch for during Highly Successful Design Projects.........................................77

Section VIEnsuring a Successful Transfer to Manufacturing...........................................................................91

Section VIIIntegrating Learning to Get Better with Every Project...................................................................109

About the Author................................................................................................................................116

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Highly successful #EngineeringDesign projectsmake the company successful.

#SuccessfulProjects

Share the AHA messages from this book socially by going tohttp://aha.pub/EngineeringDesignProjects

Walt Maclay

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Section I

Characteristics of Highly SuccessfulEngineering Design Projects

9

How do you know if you have a successfulengineering design project or if you have room to

improve? Learn more about what a successfulproject looks like.





1Everyone can learn to have highlysuccessful #EngineeringDesign projects.#SuccessfulProjects

2Highly successful #EngineeringDesignprojects are completed on time.#SuccessfulProjects

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3Highly successful #EngineeringDesignprojects are completed on budget.#SuccessfulProjects

4Highly successful #EngineeringDesignprojects result in products that are easy tomanufacture. #SuccessfulProjects

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5Highly successful #EngineeringDesignprojects are adaptable to change.#SuccessfulProjects

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6Scalable #EngineeringDesign projectsdon’t require re-design to adapt and grow.#SuccessfulProjects

7Highly successful #EngineeringDesignprojects result in high-quality products.#SuccessfulProjects

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8Highly successful #EngineeringDesignprojects make team members happy.#SuccessfulProjects

9Highly successful #EngineeringDesignprojects make management happy.#SuccessfulProjects

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10Highly successful #EngineeringDesignprojects make the project leader happy andsuccessful. #SuccessfulProjects

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11Highly successful #EngineeringDesignprojects become the models for otherprojects. #SuccessfulProjects

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12Highly successful #EngineeringDesignprojects make the company successful.#SuccessfulProjects

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18

Ensure that #EngineeringDesign requirementsare complete, and review them several times

with your team #SuccessfulProjects


Walt Maclay






Section II

Critical Steps to Takebefore Starting a Project

19

There are certain steps to take at the start of yourengineering design project. Without them, it is

difficult to have a successful project. But by doingthese things, you are already halfway there!





13Write detailed #EngineeringDesignrequirements. #SuccessfulProjects havedetailed requirements that includethe customer’s POV (inputs) and theengineering department’s POV (outputs).

14Make sure that #EngineeringDesignrequirements are testable. To have#SuccessfulProjects, it must be clear whenrequirements are or are not met.

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15Get agreement from all stakeholders on the#EngineeringDesign requirements beforeproceeding. #SuccessfulProjects

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16Ensure that #EngineeringDesignrequirements are complete, and reviewthem several times with your team.#SuccessfulProjects

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17#EngineeringDesign requirements maychange as customers, competitors, andtechnology change. #SuccessfulProjects

18Describe the appearance of mechanical,electrical, software, and firmware featuresin the #EngineeringDesign requirements.#SuccessfulProjects

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19Specify environmental conditions, suchas temperature, humidity, altitude, shock,and vibration, in the #EngineeringDesignrequirements. #SuccessfulProjects

20Specify serviceability and support inthe #EngineeringDesign requirements.#SuccessfulProjects

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21Specify cleaning and sterilization inthe #EngineeringDesign requirements.#SuccessfulProjects

22Specify compatibility in the#EngineeringDesign requirements, such asworking with other devices and software orbackward compatibility with older products.#SuccessfulProjects

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23Specify the cost target in the#EngineeringDesign requirements.#SuccessfulProjects

24Writing software requirements for#EngineeringDesign projects is hard. Ifyou have not done it before, seek advice.#SuccessfulProjects

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25Include pictures of each screenin the software requirements ofyour #EngineeringDesign project.#SuccessfulProjects

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26Describe what happens when you use eachtool on your screen (e.g., buttons, textentry boxes, drop-down lists, etc.) in the#EngineeringDesign software requirements.#SuccessfulProjects

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27Describe how to move from one screento the next in the #EngineeringDesignsoftware requirements. #SuccessfulProjects

28Describe any calculations, data processing,file processing, data transmission, oralarms that happen and what triggers themto happen in the #EngineeringDesignsoftware requirements. #SuccessfulProjects

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29Specify the wording for each alarm inthe #EngineeringDesign requirements.#SuccessfulProjects

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30#EngineeringDesign requirements shouldbe modular and traceable to higher levelrequirements. #SuccessfulProjects

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31When writing requirements, understandboth the user and the purchaser to have asuccessful #EngineeringDesign project.#SuccessfulProjects

32Write a detailed development schedule,with each activity covering one to twoweeks, four weeks being the maximum.#EngineeringDesign #SuccessfulProjects

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33An activity in the #EngineeringDesignschedule should be done by one person soresponsibility is clear. #SuccessfulProjects

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34Build #EngineeringDesign schedulesbottom-up instead of top-down. It’s okay tostart at the top to provide an outline for theteam, then build up the schedule from theteam details. #SuccessfulProjects

35Build #EngineeringDesign schedulesaround a 50% confidence level as opposedto a 99%. If each task has 99% confidence,then the margin will be quite large andproduce a very conservative schedule.#SuccessfulProjects

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36Build margin at the end of the#EngineeringDesign program to improvethe confidence to higher than 50%.#SuccessfulProjects

37A highly successful #EngineeringDesignproject’s end schedule has a date range witha confidence level. #SuccessfulProjects

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38Get your stakeholders to come to anagreement on the #EngineeringDesignschedule, especially those who willhave to contribute to meeting it.#SuccessfulProjects

39#EngineeringDesign stakeholders shouldinclude people from design, marketing,manufacturing, technical support, finance,sales, etc. #SuccessfulProjects

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40Don’t proceed without agreement onthe #EngineeringDesign schedule.#SuccessfulProjects happen when agreementsare in place.

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41Ask for agreement on the#EngineeringDesign schedule, don’tdemand it. Make changes to get willingagreement from those who will work tomeet the schedule. #SuccessfulProjects

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42If stakeholders don’t agree on the#EngineeringDesign schedule, don’tassume they will agree later — they won’t.There is either a flaw in the schedule, or youhave not explained something well enough.#SuccessfulProjects

43A good #EngineeringDesign schedule ischallenging but doable. People enjoy achallenge, as long as it is not too difficult,and they get rewarded for success.#SuccessfulProjects

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44Beware of the person who objects to the#EngineeringDesign schedule but doesnot have a stake in it. Why is this personinvolved? #SuccessfulProjects

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45“It shouldn’t take this long” is an#EngineeringDesign trap. Trust your dataover optimism to have #SuccessfulProjects.

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46Identify #EngineeringDesign risks and planto mitigate them. Allow for extra time in theschedule in proportion to the level of risk.#SuccessfulProjects

47To mitigate large #EngineeringDesignrisks and have #SuccessfulProjects, dopreliminary investigations, prototypes,pilots, or other testing.

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48If you leave large #EngineeringDesignrisks to be resolved during the project,allow time and budget for the predictableand inevitable “unknown” or “unexpected.”#SuccessfulProjects

49#SuccessfulProjects with a detailed#EngineeringDesign plan make it easyto quickly revise the plan when changeshappen during the project.

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50If there is no #EngineeringDesign plan,the project will take far longer to completethan if there is a plan. #SuccessfulProjectshappen when there’s a plan.

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51The budget for #EngineeringDesignprojects should be planned as carefully asthe schedule. #SuccessfulProjects

52The budget for #EngineeringDesignprojects is determined from the scheduleby adding a cost for each person.#SuccessfulProjects

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46

Make sure each medical device requirement is asingle requirement, testable by a single test with a

single outcome. #EngineeringDesign #SuccessfulProjects


Walt Maclay






Section III

Medical Device Requirements

These requirements are important for medical devicedesign projects, though most are a good idea for just

about any project.

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53Medical device requirements serve as agood model for any good product design.If you’re not doing a medical device, adjustthe level of documentation to suit yourparticular needs. #EngineeringDesign#SuccessfulProjects

54Successful medical #EngineeringDesignprojects require documentation appropriatefor the class of device (I, II, or III for FDA; A,B, or C for CE). Class III or C requires moredocumentation and gets more scrutiny.#SuccessfulProjects

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55Medical device development hasa generally accepted flow: Userrequirements -> Engineering requirements-> Design -> Verification -> Validation.#EngineeringDesign #SuccessfulProjects

56Validation is usually done with animaltesting or human testing (clinical trial).#EngineeringDesign #SuccessfulProjects

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57Medical devices have several different typesof requirements: 1) Product RequirementsDocument (PRD), 2) System Requirements(SysRS), and 3) Software RequirementsSpecification (SRS). #EngineeringDesign#SuccessfulProjects

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58The Product Requirements Document(PRD) has the overall requirements and insimple medical devices, has the completeelectrical and mechanical requirements.#EngineeringDesign #SuccessfulProjects

59A complex medical device has SystemRequirements (SysRS), which are detailedrequirements for electrical, mechanical,and industrial design and user experience.Simple devices usually don’t have SystemRequirements. #EngineeringDesign#SuccessfulProjects

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60The Software Requirements Specification(SRS) has detailed software requirements.#EngineeringDesign #SuccessfulProjects

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61List all the standards that apply tothe medical device in the ProductRequirements Document (PRD).#EngineeringDesign #SuccessfulProjects

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62Provide an overview of the medicaldevice and its uses that is separate fromthe requirements and will not be verified.#EngineeringDesign #SuccessfulProjects

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63For medical devices, each#EngineeringDesign requirement willbe tested during verification. Make sureeach requirement can be tested with ameasurable result. #SuccessfulProjects

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64If you can’t test a medical devicerequirement, it is either badly definedor should not be a requirement. Highlysuccessful #EngineeringDesignprojects have testable requirements.#SuccessfulProjects

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65Make sure each medical device requirementis a single requirement, testable bya single test with a single outcome.#EngineeringDesign #SuccessfulProjects

66Risk analysis will lead to new or changedmedical device requirements. Allow time inthe #EngineeringDesign schedule for this.#SuccessfulProjects

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67Medical device requirements sometimeschange during the project. Always reviewthe risk analysis, schedule, and budget if therequirements change. #EngineeringDesign#SuccessfulProjects

68Making changes in medical devicerequirements after verification testing isexpensive. Ensure #SuccessfulProjects bymaking changes early or in the next version.#EngineeringDesign #SuccessfulProjects

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69Making changes in medical devicerequirements after clinical testing is VERYexpensive. Work hard to achieve successfulclinical testing, and do pre-testing whenpossible to have a #SuccessfulProject.#EngineeringDesign

70For more advice on medical devicerequirements, see: https://volersystems.com/product-design/medical-devices/developing-product-requirementsmedical-devices/. #EngineeringDesign#SuccessfulProjects

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60

Have everyone, including junior people, report on their progress to ensure a highly successful

#EngineeringDesign project. #SuccessfulProjects


Walt Maclay






Section IV

Essential Actions Requiredduring Highly Successful

Engineering Design Projects

Now that you have started off the design projectright (see Section 2), this is what you need to do to

continue to have a successful project.

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71Hold review meetings morefrequently during crucial phases ofthe #EngineeringDesign project toachieve a highly successful project.#SuccessfulProjects

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72In review meetings, discuss the progress,next steps, risks, schedule, and budgetof the #EngineeringDesign project.#SuccessfulProjects

73During #EngineeringDesign meetings, focuson what’s important. Don’t waste everyone’stime on something that can be betterhandled by an individual or a small group.#SuccessfulProjects

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74Make sure important issues of the#EngineeringDesign project are coveredcompletely in meetings. #SuccessfulProjects

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75For a #SuccessfulProject, makesure everyone contributes in the#EngineeringDesign review meetings.

76Have everyone, including junior people,report on their progress to ensure a highlysuccessful #EngineeringDesign project.#SuccessfulProjects.

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77Hold people accountable for the#EngineeringDesign schedule and budgetto ensure #SuccessfulProjects. They agreedto it beforehand, didn’t they?

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78Work on the high-risk #EngineeringDesigntasks first. #SuccessfulProjects

79Change is inevitable, don’t fear it.Embrace change cautiously, butavoid making frequent changes tothe #EngineeringDesign project.#SuccessfulProjects

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80Before making a change to an#EngineeringDesign project, list all thethings that need to be done when thatchange is made, including the impact to thecost, schedule, and risk. #SuccessfulProjects

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81To avoid last-minute changes, requireall stakeholders to agree that achange is necessary and desirablein the #EngineeringDesign project.#SuccessfulProjects

82Don’t micromanage. Highly successful#EngineeringDesign projects give peoplefreedom to do things their way, but not somuch freedom that failures can be large.#SuccessfulProjects

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83Pay attention to what your people do welland not so well. Offer them specific, direct,and respectful feedback on how to improveon the #EngineeringDesign project.#SuccessfulProjects

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84Expect your #EngineeringDesign staff toimprove. Teach them and reward them, andthey will improve. #SuccessfulProjects

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85Are you rewarding your#EngineeringDesign team? Rewards makepeople feel valued. #SuccessfulProjects

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86Reward your #EngineeringDesign peoplefor taking necessary risks regardless of theoutcome and for learning from mistakes.#SuccessfulProjects

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87#SuccessfulProjects happen when youdeliver specific, selective, and timelyrecognition in person, rather than by justrewarding with money. How do you rewardyour #EngineeringDesign staff?

88Learning how to improve is motivatingand can lead to more successful#EngineeringDesign projects.#SuccessfulProjects

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89Being on a successful #EngineeringDesignteam is motivating. #SuccessfulProjects

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Realize that the definition of completion is different for every person. Make sure to come to common ground in the early stages of the #EngineeringDesign project, or

there will be surprises later on. #SuccessfulProjects


Walt Maclay






Section V

Warning Signs to Watch for duringHighly Successful Design Projects

You are almost done, but don’t forget that without successful manufacturing,the project is not successful. Engineering has a critical role in transferring the

engineering design to manufacturing. Early in my career, it was pointedout to me that a design engineer does not create anything . . .

except documentation that is used by others to create something.If the documentation is not good, the engineer’s job was not well done.

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90Make sure the engineers understandthe entire high-level product and notjust their part of it. #EngineeringDesign#SuccessfulProjects

911 of 16 Warning Signs of#EngineeringDesign Problems: If peopleworking on the project don’t know what isexpected of them. #SuccessfulProjects

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922 of 16 Warning Signs of#EngineeringDesign Problems:If the schedule keeps changing.#SuccessfulProjects

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933 of 16 Warning Signs of #EngineeringDesignProblems: If the requirements keep changing.#SuccessfulProjects

944 of 16 Warning Signs of#EngineeringDesign Problems: If thebudget keeps changing. #SuccessfulProjects

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955 of 16 Warning Signs of#EngineeringDesign Problems: If therequirements are never allowed to change.You must adapt to changes, such ascompetitors or technical discoveries.#SuccessfulProjects

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966 of 16 Warning Signs of#EngineeringDesign Problems: Ifmanufacturing isn’t involved in the design.#SuccessfulProjects

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977 of 16 Warning Signs of#EngineeringDesign Problems: Ifmarketing and sales aren’t involved in thedesign. #SuccessfulProjects

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988 of 16 Warning Signs of#EngineeringDesign Problems: If technicalsupport is not involved in the design.#SuccessfulProjects

999 of 16 Warning Signs of#EngineeringDesign Problems: Ifengineers on the project have differentunderstandings of what the product is.#SuccessfulProjects

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10010 of 16 Warning Signs of#EngineeringDesign Problems: If engineerson the project don’t understand who thecustomers and users are and what theywant. #SuccessfulProjects

10111 of 16 Warning Signs of#EngineeringDesign Problems: If designengineers are not involved in the transfer tomanufacturing. #SuccessfulProjects

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10212 of 16 Warning Signs of#EngineeringDesign Problems: If reviewmeetings usually have arguments.#SuccessfulProjects

10313 of 16 Warning Signs of#EngineeringDesign Problems: Ifthere are few or no review meetings.#SuccessfulProjects

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10414 of 16 Warning Signs of#EngineeringDesign Problems: If onlydesign engineers attend review meetings.#SuccessfulProjects

10515 of 16 Warning Signs of#EngineeringDesign Problems: Ifmanagement doesn’t know the key risks in theproject. #SuccessfulProjects

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10616 of 16 Warning Signs of#EngineeringDesign Problems: Ifmanagement doesn’t review the actualversus planned schedule and budgetregularly. #SuccessfulProjects

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107Realize that the definition of completionis different for every person. Make sureto come to common ground in theearly stages of the #EngineeringDesignproject, or there will be surprises later on.#SuccessfulProjects

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90

Any #EngineeringDesign issue found needs to be included in an updated manufacturing test. Check that the

manufacturing test will identify devices with each issue that is found #SuccessfulProjects


Walt Maclay






Section VI

Ensuring a Successful Transferto Manufacturing

It’s easy to have problems that go unnoticed,especially when you are still learning to have highly

successful design projects. These are things to watch out for.

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108Highly successful #EngineeringDesignprojects have complete requirements toensure a successful transfer to manufacturing.#SuccessfulProjects

109In a highly successful #EngineeringDesignproject, it is easy to buy the parts, build it,test it, ship it, and support it in the volumesrequired and to the quality specifications.#SuccessfulProjects

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110Manufacturing needs tightly controlled#EngineeringDesign documentation thatis uniform and easy to follow and repeatwithout a lot of training. #SuccessfulProjects

1111 of 2 disconnects between engineering andmanufacturing that need solving to havesuccessful #EngineeringDesign Projects:Engineers usually don’t understand why thetransfer to manufacturing should take somuch of their time. #SuccessfulProjects

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1122 of 2 disconnects between engineering andmanufacturing that need solving to havesuccessful #EngineeringDesign Projects:Manufacturing people usually don’tunderstand why engineers are so sloppyand hard to deal with. #SuccessfulProjects

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113Manufacturing needs these standard#EngineeringDesign documents: Bill ofMaterials, Gerber files, executable softwarefiles, dimensioned drawings, assemblyinstructions, and test instructions to ensure#SuccessfulProjects.

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114Manufacturing needs manufacturable#EngineeringDesigns in addition to thestandard documents. #SuccessfulProjects

115Manufacturable #EngineeringDesignsstart with good requirements.#SuccessfulProjects

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116Manufacturable #EngineeringDesignshave manufacturing in mind from the start.#SuccessfulProjects

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117Manufacturable #EngineeringDesigns areeasy to assemble. #SuccessfulProjects

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118Manufacturable #EngineeringDesigns havecareful part selections that are affordableand procurable. #SuccessfulProjects

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119Manufacturable #EngineeringDesignsrequire careful design to be able to meetspecifications, despite part variations, toensure #SuccessfulProjects.

120Manufacturable #EngineeringDesigns areeasy to test. #SuccessfulProjects

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121Manufacturable #EngineeringDesignshave test points in the printed circuitboard (PCB) layout to facilitate testing.#SuccessfulProjects

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122Manufacturable #EngineeringDesignsconsider testing during the design.#SuccessfulProjects

123Manufacturable #EngineeringDesignsget input from manufacturing, so they aresuited to the manufacturing process of themanufacturer. #SuccessfulProjects

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124Manufacturable #EngineeringDesigns allowfor parts to be easily removed from moldsby having draft. #SuccessfulProjects

125Manufacturable #EngineeringDesignsdo not get last-minute changes in therequirements. #SuccessfulProjects

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126Expect that the transfer to manufacturingwill have a few issues. Plan this intoyour schedule. Remember that building#EngineeringDesign prototypes is quitedifferent from building goods ready to sell.#SuccessfulProjects

127A 10x increase in manufacturing volumebrings out a new set of #EngineeringDesignissues to be addressed. Plan on timeto find and address these issues.#SuccessfulProjects

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128When product issues are found, there needsto be revised drawings, work instructions,etc. There needs to be an outcome forany issue found, or it is being ignored.#SuccessfulProjects

129Any #EngineeringDesign issue found needsto be included in an updated manufacturingtest. Check that the manufacturing testwill identify devices with each issue that isfound. #SuccessfulProjects

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130Use bad parts in the manufacturing testto ensure that the test procedure finds allissues. #SuccessfulProjects

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131Part availability needs to be monitoredduring the life of the product. End-of-lifeparts can be a large #EngineeringDesignissue. Stay on top of this to mitigatea potential line-down situation.#SuccessfulProjects

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108

If you don’t do anything different with your#EngineeringDesign projects, you won’t get

different results. #SuccessfulProjects


Walt Maclay






Section VII

Integrating Learning to Get Betterwith Every Project

No matter what level of success you just had, learnhow to improve. With these steps, a good team

can become great.

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132Get better on every #EngineeringDesignproject by improving processes, systems,tools, and practices based on what youlearned. #SuccessfulProjects

133Focus on what is required beyond the#EngineeringDesign shipment phase.#SuccessfulProjects

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134Highly successful #EngineeringDesignprojects design for supportability.#SuccessfulProjects

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135Highly successful #EngineeringDesignprojects design for repairability.#SuccessfulProjects

136Review the #EngineeringDesign projectwith your customer(s), and look forconstructive feedback. #SuccessfulProjects

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137Highly successful #EngineeringDesignprojects encourage criticism by suggestingpossible things you could have done better.This also encourages praise where it is due.#SuccessfulProjects

138Review the #EngineeringDesign projectwith the team. Include the extendedteam and all the parties involved in theproject. Present feedback from customers.#SuccessfulProjects

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139Solicit constructive criticism from theteam. Make sure all members are heard.#EngineeringDesign #SuccessfulProjects

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140Update #EngineeringDesign proceduresand practices from what is learned byreviewing the project. #SuccessfulProjects

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About the Author

Voler is particularly experienced in designing wearable and IoT devices, using its skillwith sensors and wireless technology. Mr. Maclay has been active in several consultantorganizations and is a senior life member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). He is a reviewer for NSF SBIR grants and has mentored dozens of startup companies. Voler Systems is a member of a technology consortium, the Product Realization Group, whichprovides all the services to design and introduce new hardware products. Mr. Maclay holdsa BSEE degree in electrical engineering from Syracuse University.

Contributors:John Dring, VP of Engineering at Voler Systems, contributed his great knowledge andexperience.

Kimberly Wiefling, founder and president of Wiefling Consulting, edited and contributeda great deal.

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Walt Maclay is the president and founder of Voler Systems in 1979, now one of the top electronic design firms in Silicon Valley, and iscommitted to delivering quality electronic products that are easy to manufacture on time and on budget. Voler Systems provides design, development, risk assessment, and verification of new devices for medical, consumer, and industrial applications.





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118

Everyone can learn to have highly successful #EngineeringDesign projects.#SuccessfulProjects

Highly successful #EngineeringDesign projects have Complete requirements toensure a successful transfer to manufacturing. #SuccessfulProjects

Build margin at the end of the #EngineeringDesign program to improve theconfidence to higher than 50%. #SuccessfulProjects

Before making a change to an #EngineeringDesign project, list all the things that need to be done when that change is made, including the impact to the cost,schedule, and risk. #Successfulprojects

Learning how to improve is motivating and can lead to More successful#EngineeringDesign projects. #SuccessfulProjects

Walt Maclay, President and Founder of Voler Systems in 1979, now one of the top electronic design firms in Silicon Valley, is committed to delivering quality electronic products on time and on budget that are easy to manufacture. He is active in consultant organizations, does SBIR grant reviews for the NSF, and mentors startup CEOs.

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