First Edition Dated September, 2000 39
Build Tree
Design
Customer
Supplier
Coordination
Supplier
Customer
4.5.1_2
The definition of supplier must be similarly expanded. Design teams focusing
on product and process design for a lower level have to be considered as
suppliers, along with the factory build positions for those components.
Consideration must be given to the design community and the factory at both
the supplier and customer, because they all have requirements or feedback to
share during the design process.
In systems design, there are additional sets of customer-supplier relationships
that must be addressed. These relationships are analogous to the systems
schematics. For example, if the result of a system is a function of voltage or
hydraulic pressure as shown in the system diagram, then the voltage (or
pressure) is a supplier and the system result (i.e., rudder motion) is a
customer. Naturally, those responsible for the product and process definition
of the components of the system must treat each other as customers and
suppliers relative to the systems customer/supplier relationships.
Requirements Flow in Customer/Supplier Relationships
System Schematic
Line Replacable
Unit
Servo Valve
Supplier
Customer
Customer
Supplier
Actuator
4.5.1_4
Voltage
Pressure
The other aspect of this requirement is communication and coordination
throughout the design process. A typical scenario today is for a customer to
issue a design specification document and a contract for a product to a
supplier who has experience with similar products. The customer may try to
define every requirement for the finished product in the design specification
document. The design team at the supplier then starts by attending periodic
