Why Design Reviews Happen
In mechanical engineering, different types of design reviews happen at various stages, in various formats, for various reasons. But at their core, design reviews are the main source of collaboration in engineering design. Whether it’s between internal team members or along with external stakeholders, vendors, or suppliers—reviews are how input on a project is gathered from everyone who needs to give it. When design reviews are executed better, it leads to stronger collaboration. In turn, stronger collaboration leads to better products, better execution, and better results.
So, what is a design review? There are countless specific reasons why a design review might happen and countless specific ways that review could be executed. Overall, though, design reviews happen whenever different people involved in product development need to come together somehow and share information, engage others in providing their expertise, and decide on the next best course of action.
Ultimately, the reasons for conducting a design review can be categorized into three main buckets. Design reviews happen in order to:
- provide answers to questions,
- provide clarity around assumptions made, and/or
- to solicit guidance from subject matter experts.
A detailed design review is a design review that focuses on the specific details and features of a design. It is typically conducted later in the product development process, when the design has been refined and tested, and is ready for final review and approval.
A detailed design review typically includes a review of the design against the specified requirements and constraints, a discussion of any potential issues or challenges with the design, and a review of any proposed solutions or alternatives. It may also include a review of the design process, including any issues or challenges encountered during the design process, and any recommendations for improvement or further action.
Overall, a detailed design review is a thorough and comprehensive evaluation of a design, focused on its specific details and features, to ensure that it meets the specified requirements and constraints, and to identify and address any potential issues or challenges.