Project Schedule Management (NPI - New Product Introduction)
Timeline Control: Create and manage the master schedule from kickoff to mass production (MP). Milestone Tracking: Ensure the project meets critical milestones like EVT (Engineering Validation Test), DVT (Design Validation Test), and PVT (Production Validation Test). Risk Management: Identify potential delays and propose recovery plans. Client Communication & Relationship Management Point of Contact: Serve as the primary window for the client regarding project status, technical issues, and schedule updates. RFI/RFQ Handling: Assist in responding to Requests for Information (RFI) or Requests for Quotation (RFQ) during the initial stages. Cross-Functional Team (CFT) Coordination Team Leadership: Lead internal teams including R&D (Mechanical, Electrical, Software), Supply Chain, Quality Assurance (QA), and Manufacturing. Issue Resolution: Host regular meetings to track open issues (bug lists) and ensure engineers provide timely solutions. BOM Cost Control: Monitor the Bill of Materials (BOM) cost to ensure the product remains profitable. NRE Management: Track Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) costs, such as tooling and certification fees. Factory & Manufacturing Support Build Support: Oversee trial production runs at the factory line to identify assembly issues. Material Readiness: Work with procurement to ensure critical components are available for prototype builds. Spec Compliance: Ensure the final product meets the client’s specifications and passes all reliability tests. Certification: Coordinate necessary regulatory certifications (e.g., FCC, CE, UL).