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Kenneth Crow is President of DRM Associates, a management consulting and training firm
specializing in new product development (NPD) through the implementation of best
practices; time-to-market and integrated product development concepts;
product planning, tools and techniques such
as QFD, DFM & target costing, project management, and NPD process
improvement. He is also a Principal in PD-Trak Solutions, a software vendor providing
tools for new product development process management, project management, portfolio
management, and resource management. He is a distinguished speaker and recognized expert in
the field of integrated product development. Ken's experience
with DRM Associates includes work in aerospace, automotive, capital
equipment, consumer products, electronics and high technology, mechanical
machinery, and medical equipment industries (see
client list). He has conducted over 140 workshops and trained over
2,500 professionals and managers on subjects related to
new product development.
Prior to this, he served as Vice President of the Professional Services
Division of Western Data Systems, a supplier of manufacturing, engineering
and business software, consulting and education. There he directed all customer
education and consulting services and was responsible for product planning,
and executive seminars. These services included planning, change management,
education and training, technical services, system integration, and implementation
consulting. Prior to WDS, Ken was Director of the Manufacturing Consulting
Practice with a Big Six consulting firm in Los Angeles, where he was responsible
for building a distinguished manufacturing consulting practice. He began working in the
field of new product development in 1981 addressing issues
such as configuration management/engineering change control,
transition to production/product launch, and
design for manufacturability. He began to evolve some of the initial concepts of today's
integrated product development practices starting in 1982.
In these positions, he directed, managed and performed consulting work related
to integrated product development, enterprise resource planning system implementation,
design for manufacturability, design-to-cost, product development teams,
business process reengineering, manufacturing management, and cost management.
He has conducted over 200 engineering and manufacturing seminars and provided
guidance to executive management on a variety of business issues and plans.
Representative experience includes:
- Assisted
Westinghouse with a series of projects. We helped define and document
their new product development (NPD) process and developed a handbook and web
site describing this process. We defined a target costing process and
integrated it into their new product development process. We conducted target cost
training for key personnel. We help select and implement product cost estimating
software to be used early in the development process to provide feedback
on the cost implication of design decisions. We further conducted
training on quality function deployment and value analysis. We facilitated
four major programs define customer needs, develop a product strategy, and
plan product requirements using QFD, target costing, value analysis, and
early manufacturing involvement. This improved the product's value proposition, led
to innovative solutions, reduced costs, and provided better focus on
the real customer needs.
- Assisted Sun Microsystems with a initiative
called DF* to address manufacturability, testability, diagnosibility,
serviceability, and supply chain leadtime. We assessed the current NPD
process, identified issues and opportunities, and developed a plan to
improve the process. We provided assistance and guidance to the DF* team
in developing an improved process, supporting tools, and design
guidelines. We developed an extensive website and training program, and
we conducted a series of workshops. Pilot programs were conducted and
supported. Based on these pilot programs, refinements to the process,
tools, web site and training were made. In addition, he provided QFD
training to six sigma blackbelts and facilitated application of QFD on
several projects.
- Helped Saft America implement
an improved concurrent engineering approach on a major new program. Facilitated
a product team to define the product development process with a multi-functional
team and identify responsibilities for tasks and deliverables under this process.
Facilitated product planning using QFD and established QFD as a
key element of the product development process. Installed and set-up
the PD-Trak NPD project/process management system to support this initial project.
- Assisted Samsung Electronics plan and develop a major product for a new market.
Samsung had established a Value Innovation Program (VIP) Center to serve as an
incubator for more critical, higher risk programs for its business
units. While the VIP Center was very sophisticated in its use of best
practices and NPD methods, it wanted assistance to further refine its use of
these tools by applying improved methods on NPD programs. We assisted a
major, high-risk program to analyze customer needs and facilitated their
improved use of QFD. We worked with them to develop new focus group and
QFD methods such as a feature evaluation matrix. We pushed them to
develop a more effective and competitive product and marketing strategy.
We also provided guidance with their sales and distribution strategy. We
helped integrate a target costing approach with QFD and proposed a cost
tracking system to support product development.
- Assisted Remington determine the voice of the customer, developed products plans and
strategies, and define requirements for a next generation electric shaver using
quality function deployment (QFD). This effort included the development of a
product planning matrix and three subsystem/subassembly deployment matrices.
- Assisted Baxter Healthcare develop a common corporate-wide product development
process. Reviewed the process definition work developed by a team of Baxter personnel,
identified issues, and recommended improvements. Helped address organizational
and implementation issues.
- Reviewed products and productions processes for manufacturability at Nokia,
McData, FSI International, Gehl, Adaptive Microsystems, Snap-On Diagnostics,
Ventracor, General Dynamics Land Systems, OSRAM Opto-Semiconductor, Basler Electric,
and Elgar Electronics.
Conducted DFM/A workshops and facilitated teams in the review and assessment of
manufacturability of each company's products.
- Reviewed the existing manufacturability initiatives, products, and production
processes at several facilities at a major electronic contract manufacturer.
Identified needed elements of a DFM/A process, developed a business case for
investing effort in design for manufacturability/assembly, and developed a plan for
creating DFM/A guidelines and review process.
- Directed and undertook the improvement of the new product development process for an
audio equipment manufacturer, Harman International. This included process mapping, process
improvement, procedure revision, streamlining process outputs, creation
of a standard project planning template, development of a time tracking
system and a resource planning system, development of a phase-gate process,
development of a design review process and methodology, and training and
facilitation.
- Assisted Yazaki North America, an automotive supplier, develop a
strategic plan for Engineering and a technology development plan. Performed
a competitive assessment and, based on this, helped define a unique
competitive focus. Facilitated establishing a vision and developing goals. Used QFD to
plan tactics and programs in response to goals and prioritized and balanced with available resources. Also
used QFD to prepare a technology development plan based on an identified set of
customer needs and prioritized and balanced this plan with available resources. Facilitated a
subsequent annual update to this plan.
- Conducted a product development assessment at a British Aerospace business
unit, developed a plan for improving their product development process, and
worked with a division of this organization to improve their development
process. We assisted with the implementation of a product data management
(PDM) system by reviewing requirements, and developing the concept for how the
PDM system would be implemented. We assisted to define the organization of
product data, release levels and revision levels, and interfaces with other
systems. We conducted training on integrated product development, product
development teams, and quality function deployment (QFD). We also facilitated
the use of QFD on one of their programs. We worked with another program to
apply IPPD practices, develop a comprehensive project plan based on an IPPD
and systems engineering approach, develop a team organization structure, and
draft a IPPD handbook to support this program.
- Provided training in Quality Function Deployment (QFD)
and facilitated the application of these techniques on proposal
development efforts and major development programs for products such as refrigerators,
nuclear fuel assemblies, rocket motors, industrial gas turbines, auxiliary power units,
fire control systems, storage area network, remote computer monitoring and
servicing, aircraft battery, cardiac lead implants, and others. Developed and licensed a QFD
software and training program to a number of companies.
- Worked with a major electronic manufacturing services (EMS) provider or
contract manufacturer to develop a strategy for assisting their customers
enhance the manufacturability of their products. Surveyed existing products
and process capabilities, identified needed elements of a design for
manufacturability/assembly program, built a business case, and developed
a program plan.
- Developed a new product development assessment and
improvement methodology based on 270 best practices identified and updated
based on the last twelve years of our consulting, writing and speaking.
Developed a software product based on this methodology that has been licensed to over
40 firms. Conducted Product Development Assessments using this proven methodology
and established plans to improve the development
process at a variety of manufacturers.
- Assisted a Rohr Industries (now B.F. Goodrich Aerospace), a major aerospace
subcontractor, plan and organize a corporate-wide
concurrent product development (CPD) initiative. Conducted workshops on
concurrent engineering, QFD, and team-building. Assisted to define a "to-be"
technical architecture for CAD systems. Organized preparation of a CPD
handbook. Structured and facilitated product development teams.
- Assessed a $600 million development program at Lockheed
Martin Vought Systems and provided specific recommendations to improve the structure
and operation of integrated product teams. Conducted teambuilding and IPPD
training for the program and the business unit. Provided on-going guidance to
the program and to the business unit.
- Conducted an assessment of Commercial Space Operations
and the THAAD anti-ballistic missile program at Lockheed Martin Missiles and
Space. Both assessments involved extensive interviews and fact-finding with
program personnel in both the contractor and customer organizations. Detailed
findings based on the assessment against 260 best practices were developed
along with very specific recommendations for improving the development
program. We met with program and customer personnel to review our findings
and recommendations. We also participated in implementation meetings to plan
an improvement program. In a separate project, we developed integrated product
development training and conducted train-the-trainer workshops for training
modules covering an IPD Overview, a Team Launch Workshop, and a Team Leader
Workshop
- Introduced concurrent engineering practices and quality
function deployment (QFD) at Solar
Turbines, an industrial turbine engine manufacturer. Guided and facilitated a
new product introduction team in defining customer requirements and product
planning. Assisted executive management with the application of concurrent
engineering concepts.
- We assisted General Motors and EDS develop a curriculum for an extensive
concurrent engineering training program of over forty days in length. We
supported this training program by conducting training in engineering
economics, design-to-cost, value engineering, design for manufacturability,
and product certification. We conducted twelve sessions for over 300
people.
- At FMC Ground Systems (now United Defense L.P.), we provided concurrent
engineering/integrated product development (CE/IPD) training to the Ground
Systems Division Leadership Board
and Engineering Board. We reviewed the system development process and provided
recommendations regarding improvements and the overall plan for implementing
CE practices. We conducted CE/IPD and team building workshops and assisted
individual programs implement CE practices and form product development teams.
We developed a team model and handbook for the Division and have tailored and
applied the team model to individual programs. We provided guidance in the
successful use of QFD in one multi-division program.
- Developed and conducted
over 100 training programs for executive management and
product development professionals. These workshops include the Integrated
Product Development Executive Briefing, Product Development Best Practices Workshop,
Team Building Workshop, Team Launch Workshop, Team Leader Workshop,
Design for Manufacturability Workshop, Quality Function Deployment Workshop,
Value Analysis Workshop, Design-to Cost Workshop, Target Costing Workshop,
Requirements Definition and Concept Development Workshop, and many others.
- Conducted training and implemented integrated product development practices
at a protective equipment manufacturer, a semiconductor manufacturer, an
instrument manufacturer, an avionics supplier, and at many other companies.
- Managed a $4 million project to implement a MRP II system at a major
aerospace prime contractor. Supported project planning and management.
Assisted with enterprise integration. Conducted training programs.
- Assisted with requirements definition, product planning and software evaluation projects for
high technology companies, manufacturers, defense contractors, distributors, and other
organizations.
- Assisted several high technology and start-up companies develop business
strategies, business plans and financial projections.
He has given keynote speeches, presentations and courses in North America,
Europe, Israel and Australia on various aspects of integrated product development,
design for manufacturability, design-to-cost, and quality function deployment.
He has also written numerous papers and articles on these subjects and contributed
to books on these subjects. He is on the Editorial Advisory Board of
Best Practices Report and Time Compression Technologies and
previously was on the Board of Advisors for Concurrent Engineering.
Mr. Crow received a Bachelor of Arts degree
in Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration from the University of
California at Los Angeles. He is a certified New Product Development
Professional through PDMA, Certified in Production and Inventory Management
(CPIM) through the APICS, is a Certified Configuration Manager through NDIA,
and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He is a founding member,
past President, and was on the Board of Directors of the Society of
Concurrent Product Development. He is a member of the the American Society for
Quality Control, the IEEE Engineering Management Society, the Product Development
Management Association, and a life member of the Society
of Concurrent Product Development.
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