Send us a textDiscover 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 communication within design processes.This episode isn't just about embracing the latest tech trend...

Send us a textCommunication 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 OutcomesHigh-Performing Teams Prioritize CommunicationCommunication Styles are Shaped by ...

Send us a textIn 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 products. Discover how quality thinking and systems approaches not only enhances collaboration but also impr...

Send us a textHow 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 review three of the six myths in the article, revealing the misconceptions around resource all...

Send us a textEngineering 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 relate with one another, and what lessons can be learned by combining and contrastin...

Send us a textCan 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's—Perspective, Problem, Principle, Proposal, Proof, and Process—that serve as the backbo...

Send us a textHow 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 tool that maps customer satisfaction against the implementation of product features. Y...

Send us a Text Message.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 this challenge, beyond typical schedule availability. Tune in as we uncover practical strateg...

Send us a Text Message.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 assumptions. This episode is packed with actionable advice to enhance your decision...

Send us a Text Message.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 techniques for individual brainstorming, anonymous idea sharing, and collective r...

Send us a Text Message.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 meaning of "quality assistance", and grasp the implications of Quality 4.0.We’ll dig ...

Send us a Text Message.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 involves breaking down an event into smaller, more manageable parts, helpi...

Send us a Text Message.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 uncover valuable lessons from the books "Brilliant!" by Bob Johnstone and Dale Carne...

Send us a Text Message.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. Our collective expertise spans the gamut from semiconductor testing to biotechno...

Send us a Text Message.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 processes.Quality during Design is not DFSS. It can be part of DFSS or any other produ...

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 of risk analysis and decision-making processes. The latest podcast episode takes a deep dive...

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 perspectives regarding new products, the values they bring to new product development, and how...

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 perspectives regarding new products, the values they bring to new product development, and how...

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 stakeholders involved. Your voice matters to us, and it's your feedback that fuels the journey of...

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 to work.  We dissect the all-too-familiar scenario of projects saddled with incomplete actions, despite our best-laid...

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 offerings to identify where and how they might fail and to assess the relative impact of different failures. ...

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 weekly email newsletters, loaded with the same quality content, professional wisdom, and valuable tips that...

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 values they bring to new product development, and how they're involved and work with product design...

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. We journey through the world of early concept development, discussing how setting priorities can...