Moose Toys

Rowen Wagner

In the ever-evolving landscape of design engineering and product development, the role of an engineering manager is not only about overseeing projects but also about identifying strategies that propel innovation and efficiency. One strategy that can yield great success in the right setting involves utilising a multi-disciplinary approach to engineering design. This approach can be a game-changer for organisations seeking to streamline their processes and maximize efficiency gains. So what is this method, and how is it implemented?

The journey from traditional engineering design to a collaborative approach has marked a significant transformation in the efficiency of design and engineering organisations. In the past, engineering disciplines such as mechanical and electronic design often operated in isolation, leading to communication gaps, delayed decision-making, and inefficiencies in design iteration. The collaborative approach emerged as a remedy, encouraging cross-functional teamwork where engineers from various disciplines work together from project inception.

This approach bridges gaps, fosters synergy, and accelerates the design process by better facilitating communication. However, taking the collaborative approach a step further by amalgamating functional mechanical design, electronics design, and design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA) into a single engineering role introduces a new level of efficiency. This refined approach is especially relevant for projects that combine these disciplines but aren’t necessarily at the bleeding edge of complexity. By unifying these roles, the design process becomes more streamlined, reducing the need for constant communication between departments and minimizing the potential for misaligned design choices. For example, how better to ensure manufacturing constraints are considered early in the design process than making the designer themselves factor these requirements into the product right from the concept stage?

"With the ability to quickly produce prototypes and iterate through designs, one can validate concepts rapidly - often directly from the very suite they have been designed in."

Interestingly, many small companies and startups have already embraced the amalgamated approach, often out of necessity due to resource constraints. These nimble organizations often rely on a single individual equipped with expertise in multiple disciplines to get off the ground, and it can be an overlooked contributor to their success. However, as organizations grow, there's a tendency to adopt specialist design roles, assuming they're essential for continued growth. The reality is that not every product demands such specialization. The amalgamated role, integrating multiple design and engineering disciplines, can deliver remarkable efficiency by eliminating bottlenecks stemming from communication barriers between departments.

Modern design tools have evolved to support the collaborative approach to engineering design and can be leveraged to perfectly support the amalgamated design role. Platforms like Autodesk's Fusion 360 provide a unified environment where design engineers can seamlessly switch between mechanical and electronic design, simulation, and manufacturing. These tools empower an engineer with the ability to iterate through different aspects of the design swiftly, leading to quicker decision-making and enhanced efficiency. The impact of new 3D printing technologies cannot be overstated in this context. With the ability to quickly produce prototypes and iterate through designs, one can validate concepts rapidly - often directly from the very suite they have been designed in. These tools allow for physical verification of design choices, ensuring that the final product aligns with expectations before committing to mass production. The iterative nature of 3D printing enhances the flexibility of the amalgamated role, enabling design engineers to explore design possibilities more extensively and make adjustments instantly without the need for communicating findings to various departments through reports or meetings.

While the amalgamated approach brings immense efficiency gains, it does not replace the need for essential roles such as product designers and project managers. Product designers are crucial for shaping concepts with human-centric factors in mind, ensuring the product resonates with users. Project managers remain vital for orchestrating collaboration, aligning resources, and overseeing timelines. Moreover, the significance of design reviews with peers cannot be understated. Cross-disciplinary input – at key stages – ensures comprehensive evaluation, validation, and optimization of designs. But fewer resources buried in the specifics of a design allow more of the team to focus on the high-level aspects of a product - details that are often the most profitable. Inevitably, there will be instances where specialist roles are necessary due to the unique requirements of a project. For instance, complex electronics systems or IoT connectivity may demand focused expertise. The key is to strike a balance between specialization and efficiency, aligning roles with the project's complexity and demands.

In the pursuit of efficiency gains and innovation, growing organisations must look to fill key skill shortages and foster a design team with the expertise to meet the demands of their portfolio. But one mustn’t overlook or marginalise the role of multitalented individuals as a matter of course. Continuing to embrace the structures and processes that make small organisations and startups so agile and efficient can ensure continued success.