Parallel Tasking Shortening the Development Cycle With Parallel Tasking Parallel product development can shorten the time it takes to bring meaningful products to the marketplace by integrating design and manufacturing capabilities and marketplace information. Successfully done, a parallel approach is the best way for a manufacturing company to conduct its major new product development projects.
Multifunctional teams make fast parallel product development possible.
They must be made up of people from all the key functional areas who contribute to and have a stake in the project. The team members should all be involved in the project from the start and the team members should select their own leader. Key suppliers and key customers are often members of the development team. Once the teams are in place and a detailed project plan has been approved by senior management, the team can speed up its project by doing as many tasks in parallel as possible. Sometimes, it's as simple as releasing work orders for prototype parts as soon as individual component drawings become available, rather than waiting until the entire drawing package is complete.