Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) Practice Exam

What is a tradeoff of concurrent engineering?

1. Runaway costs due to multiple stakeholders

2. Can be replaced by more complete methods

3. Decreased efficiency due to complexity

4. Increased focus on engineering only

The correct answer is: Can be replaced by more complete methods

Concurrent engineering is a method that promotes collaboration between various stakeholders in the product development process, including engineering, manufacturing, and marketing teams. This collaborative approach aims to streamline the development process and reduce time to market. However, it also involves certain trade-offs, particularly concerning how thoroughly each phase can be executed before moving on to the next. The trade-off linked to concurrent engineering is that while it allows for rapid development cycles, the emphasis on collaboration and speed may result in less thoroughness in certain stages of the process. This can lead to the perception that concurrent engineering might be replaced by more complete methods that provide a more structured, step-by-step approach to product development, allowing for detailed analysis and refinement at each phase. Therefore, the notion that concurrent engineering can be supplanted by more complete methods relates to concerns that the rushed nature of concurrent processes might overlook critical aspects that would be better addressed in a more sequential, comprehensive approach. This choice underscores the idea that while concurrent engineering enhances collaboration, it may sacrifice some level of depth and completeness that more traditional methods offer.