Quick Definition
An engineering change notice or change order is a request or proposal to modify the current manufacturing process or equipment. In the process of manufacturing change management, the change order is the driver behind change through the system and is carried out through the change management cycle.Generally, a change order is required for corrective action to be taken.
What is a Change Order?
An Engineering Change Order (ECO), also referred to as an Engineering Change Notice (ECN), is a pivotal document in the realm of the design process and product development in engineering change management. It serves as a formal channel for proposing and implementing modifications to a product's design, components, supply chain, or development processes. ECOs are particularly crucial for ensuring that new products evolve to meet changing requirements, rectify design flaws, enhance functionality, or align with updated regulatory requirements.
The process of initiating an ECO begins with an engineering change request (ECR). This request, often triggered by insights from various stakeholders or as a response to design errors identified during the product design phase, highlights the proposed change and its significance. These stakeholders can range from product managers and engineers to manufacturing personnel and quality control teams.
Upon receiving an ECR, the organization embarks on a well-structured journey of evaluation and decision-making. This often involves a comprehensive assessment of the feasibility, implications, and potential impact of the requested change. Teams meticulously analyze the potential benefits against potential risks and challenges to ensure that the product change aligns with the overall project objectives.
Should the proposed change be deemed viable, the ECR is elevated to an ECO. This phase involves detailing the modification, specifying the areas of impact, revising the necessary product data, and outlining the steps for implementation. The proposed changes are documented in a structured manner, highlighting the design alterations, component revisions, or process adjustments.
A pivotal aspect of ECOs lies in their traceability. To maintain a clear understanding of the change's impact across the entire product lifecycle, these document changes capture every detail meticulously. This level of transparency aids in better decision-making, accountability, and facilitates comprehensive quality control.
The engineering change order process often entails a rigorous approval process. A change control board or similar body reviews the proposed modifications, evaluating the feasibility, benefits, potential challenges, and risks. The ECO undergoes a series of approvals, routing to ensuring that key stakeholders sign off on the proposed changes, further enhancing accountability and mitigating any potential miscommunications.
Once approved, the ECO enters the implementation phase. This might involve design changes, procurement of updated components, revisions in the bill of materials, and even adaptations in the manufacturing process. The streamlined ECO process ensures that the changes are efficiently integrated into the existing workflows, minimizing disruptions and downtime.
Modern approaches to ECOs often leverage automation and real-time systems. This ensures that changes are immediately communicated to the relevant teams, reducing time delays and improving responsiveness. An automated system can also track the progression of each ECO, highlighting bottlenecks and areas that require attention.
In the realm of highly regulated industries like medical devices, ECOs are indispensable. They facilitate regulatory compliance, ensuring that products align with evolving standards and guidelines. The documentation and traceability associated with ECOs are crucial during regulatory audits.
In conclusion, an ECO is a fundamental tool in the realm of engineering and product development. They can be streamlined and even automated within a modern product lifecycle management (PLM) solution. By providing a structured and transparent framework for proposing, evaluating, and implementing changes, ECOs ensure that products evolve to meet new requirements, rectify issues, and align with industry standards. In today's dynamic and demanding business environment, the efficacy of ECOs lies in their ability to foster streamlined communication, accountability, and continuous improvement within the product development lifecycle.
