Quality during Design

Discover how predictive analytics, machine learning, AI, and virtual reality reshape some of the ways we approach design. In this episode, we journey from the origins of predictive analytics to the convergence of big data, IoT, digital twins and more, paving the way for innovative product development. We'll also discuss the potential of virtual reality to enhance collaboration and communicati...

Communication challenges in engineering? Dianna Deeney interviews Dr. Meagan Pollock about improving communication and the workplace. They explore how improving communication within cross-functional teams involves active listening, continuous learning, and adapting communication styles to create a more inclusive and productive environment. Meagan and Dianna talk about: Diversity Drives Better Outc...

In this Part 2, we continue to challenge product development ideas by reviewing the final three myths identified by Stefan Thomke and Donald Reinersten in their article, "6 Myths of Product Development". You'll leave with a better understanding of why smaller development 'batches, embracing mistakes, and focusing on the quality of features are what's needed for innovative...

How do we integrate quality with product development? Using quality tools and techniques early in the design phase can lead to more successful outcomes. But we cannot do it by treating the product development process like a manufacturing process. Listen to this Part 1 as we unpack Harvard Business Review’s "The Six Myths of Product Development" by Stefan Thomke and Donald Reinersten. We...

Engineering is a field that constantly evolves, and staying ahead requires not only technical skills but also the ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively. Join Steven Giako and Dianna Deeney in a panel discussion of central themes in the books Brilliant! Shuji Nakamura And the Revolution in Lighting Technology and How to Win Friends and Influence People. How do these two books...

Can the way you present technical information drastically impact decision-making? Absolutely. In our latest episode, discover how the assertion evidence model can revolutionize your presentations. Rather than relying on lifeless bullet points, this method encourages you to make clear recommendations at the top of each slide, coupled with compelling graphical evidence. We delve into the six P'...

How do you balance customer wants with project constraints? If your customer-facing teammates are saying our customers want this, that and the other thing, which ones do we prioritize over others? Not all features are equal in the eyes of our customers. And not all features are value-added, either. In this episode, we delve into how to prioritize customer wants using the powerful Kano Model, a too...

Our team is saying "No" to our co-work session. We want to have a working meeting with them to get important information and make decisions. Since they declined, now we are missing an important viewpoint and source of design inputs! Plus, it could prove disastrous, later, when we have a pass/go decision on our concept designs. In this week's episode we talk about ways to overcome th...

Can visualizing your data be the game-changer you've been missing? Discover why plotting isn't just a step in data analysis, but a crucial practice that can reveal uniformity, natural variations, and even potential flaws in your test methods. Learn about the importance of recognizing multiple failure modes and how to avoid common pitfalls such as mishandling outliers and making incorrect...

Ready to transform your team meetings from chaotic to cohesive? Discover a method used by Six Sigma practitioners, continuous improvement teams, and design sprints to make your meetings more effective and efficient. We’ll guide you through the phases of discovery, examination, and prioritization to streamline idea generation and ensure that every team member’s input is valued. You’ll learn techniq...

Quality control, quality assurance, quality assistance, and Quality 4.0. We unravel these quality concepts and their impact on design. Listen in to be guided through the historical context and evolution of these terms, offering insights into how they shape design decisions and team communications. You'll learn the roles of quality assurance and quality control, discover the origins and meanin...

Ever find yourself stuck trying to gauge the likelihood of an event? What if you could transform your approach to probability assignments with just one simple trick? On this episode of Quality During Design, we talk about simplifying probabilities for better decision making. We uncover a method to assign probabilities and occurrence ratings during preliminary assessments. We share a technique that...

What could Shuji Nakamura, the Nobel Prize-winning engineer behind the blue LED, teach you about teamwork and career growth? Discover how transitioning from an independent researcher to a collaborative leader can elevate your professional journey. Join me, Dianna Deeney, as I share insights from a recent event co-hosted for the IEEE Philadelphia Professional Communication Society. We'll uncov...

Anne Meixner, Dr. Vaneeta Kaur Grover, and Dianna Deeney join in a panel discussion about engineering and STEM. They met for an engineering book review to discuss the ideas that came from the books themselves and to link literature about engineering to current-day challenges. Uncover the intricacies of engineering's past and present as we dissect To Engineer is Human and The Wright Brothers ....

We explore the history, philosophy, and methodology of Design for Six Sigma (DFSS). We dissect the acronyms DMAIC and DMADV, revealing how these methodologies are blueprints for achieving excellence.  From statistics to Motorola's legendary quality standards and other history of six sigma, you'll begin to see how DFSS may relate with your organization's current design development pr...

Unveil the hidden flaws of FMEA and risk matrices that could be skewing your analysis and decision-making.  In the realm of risk assessment and management, traditional tools like Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and risk matrices have been widely accepted as the norm. However, beneath the surface of these established methods lie hidden flaws that can significantly impact the effectiveness...

Dianna Deeney interviews Fred Schenkelberg about getting information for product design, focusing on reliability engineering in new products. This episode is part 2 of 2. This interview is part of our series, “A Chat with Cross Functional Experts". Our focus is speaking with people that are typically part of a cross-functional team within engineering projects. We discuss their viewpoints and...

Dianna Deeney interviews Fred Schenkelberg about getting information for product design, focusing on reliability engineering in new products. This episode is part 1 of 2. This interview is part of our series, “A Chat with Cross Functional Experts". Our focus is speaking with people that are typically part of a cross-functional team within engineering projects. We discuss their viewpoints and...

Navigating the common roadblocks of team consensus on severity ratings during FMEA or hazard analysis can be challenging. But with the right strategies, your team can capture uncertainty and avoid the pitfall of too many conservative estimates that skew prioritization. Learn how a probability mass function can revolutionize your risk assessment, ensuring a smoother, more accurate process for all s...

Ever find yourself at the tail end of a project, swamped with unfinished tasks, and wondering where things went awry? Are there important recommended actions that the team was excited about that just didn't get done? These are the conundrums we tackle in this episode of Quality During Design, with a special nod to Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Be Useful" for his proactive approach t...

Quality during Design isn't just an add-on; it's a fundamental aspect that drives innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction! Welcome back from our brief hiatus! One of the highlights of this episode is the introduction of an upcoming FMEA course on Udemy, with The Manufacturing Academy . FMEA, or Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, is a systematic method for evaluating our offeri...

Blink and you'll miss it, Quality During Design is taking a short, well-deserved break. We’ve journeyed together through a whopping 136 episodes over the last two years and eight months, and now it's time for us to recharge, refocus, and return with a bang in a few weeks. While we are not releasing new episodes during this period, we're excited to stay connected with you through our...

Dianna Deeney interviews Jeffrey Lewis about new product development: how timing the right activities can lead to product success. This interview is part of our series, “A Chat with Cross Functional Experts". Our focus is speaking with people that are typically part of a cross-functional team within engineering projects. We discuss their viewpoints and perspectives regarding new products, the...

What if you could shift your approach in product design to focus on what really matters, and thereby create products that truly resonate with your customers? We've been discovering the importance of considering a variety of inputs early in the design process. Now, we navigate the challenge of prioritizing these inputs to make the crucial trade-off decisions that can make or break your product...

Gain insights into working effectively with cross-functional teams, collecting invaluable design inputs without succumbing to the overwhelming flow of information. We'll discuss the magic behind the 'concept space', an efficient approach to dissect potential customer experiences, streamlining concept development at the start. What about after that high-level concept development, whe...