Improved Implementation of DfR through Phase Gates

The effectiveness of “Design for X” (DfX) methodology is often limited by the non-negotiable “freeze” gates in the product development process. Freezes become points of contentious negotiation instead of directing scheduling and resource allocation. Design changes continue past “design freeze” commonly resulting in an inefficient multi-iterative process. A design freeze is the incorrect principle for controlling design start and end points. Often a good deal of new information about the design and program has been generated between the program creation and the freeze. A flexible methodology is required. A tool that reflects the actual process of accessing risk and deciding on program change has been created and demonstrated. The tool is Program Risk Effect Analysis (PREA). This tool accesses risk on a gradient similar to the Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) tool. A DFMEA evaluates the effect of design failures on the released product. Similarly a PREA assesses the mitigation of design failures effects on the program.