Welcome to the latest edition of the Quality during Design Digest!
This month's newsletter is all about leveraging new tools and proven methods to enhance quality in the design process. We're diving into how AI is changing quality control, the future of work for engineers in an AI-driven world, and how you can get more out of essential tools like FMEA and user journey mapping.
Dianna
Quality during Design has been brought to you since 2021 from Deeney Enterprises and Dianna Deeney. This is the monthly digest sent on the first Friday of the month: gain insights, podcast highlights, and resources for engineering design professionals.
Keven Wang’s 4-Step Journey to AI-Powered Quality Control (A Chat with Cross-Functional Experts)
NEW PODCAST & BLOG POST Dianna interviews Keven Wang from UnitX. Keven shared valuable insights about how AI-powered quality control is revolutionizing factories worldwide, beyond inspection. With over 160 customers benefiting from this technology, Wang's expertise offers a glimpse into both the present capabilities and future potential of AI in manufacturing.
The Future of Work with AI
I had a chance to talk with Greg Hutchins about the future of work for Reliability Engineers. We recorded a 2-part series on the podcast "Speaking of Reliability".
SOR 1093 Quality and Reliability Disrupted
Greg and I talk about employability in the AI age. So, let’s run a hypothetical. You’re a 22-year-old mechanical engineer. You do robotic quality and reliability with a knowledge half-life of 4 years. That means by the time you’re 26 knowledge in your domain has doubled. Let’s say, you’re now 30. Knowledge in your domain has quadruped. Problem: you have not updated your knowledge skills and abilities. Are you still employable?
Greg and Dianna discuss how quality and reliability engineers can become AI boomers NOT doomers. Engineers are being challenged with AI. What can and should we do to survive and even prosper in the age AI disruption?
Q: How are you preparing for future work with AI?
Is Your FMEA Worksheet Holding You Back? Tips from the Experts.
NEW BLOG POST I want to share four recent episodes from the Speaking of Reliability podcast that delve into FMEA, including three that I had the pleasure of co-hosting with Carl Carlson. These discussions are designed to offer valuable insights for using FMEA to enhance product safety, optimize design, and improve overall risk management.
Get links to them all: Is Your FMEA Worksheet Holding You Back? Tips from the Experts
For those wanting to deepen their understanding and practical application of FMEA, I invite you to also check out my comprehensive FMEA course. Join over 300 other students in FMEA in Practice: From Plan to Risk-Based Decision Making.
Concept Development
These two new episodes continue to build upon Concept Development: Why should we bother? What needs to be done? How do we do it?
Map the User Journey: Design for Seamless Experiences
NEW PODCAST & BLOG It's important to evaluate the customer's use process during concept development.
Rather than focusing solely on what your product does, understanding how users will interact with it creates opportunities to design more intuitive, enjoyable experiences. By mapping out the steps users take from beginning to end using process flowcharts, development teams gain clarity on inputs, outputs, and the journey between them.
Whether you need to simplify complex steps, compare competitor approaches, or identify critical-to-quality elements, these analytical methods help prioritize design decisions based on what truly matters to users.
Map the User Journey: Design for Seamless Experiences - Deeney Enterprises
Beyond Requirements: How Quality Methods Provide Actionable Design Inputs
NEW PODCAST & BLOG We explore the critical transition from concept development to engineering solutions in product development, highlighting quality tools that bridge the gap between customer needs and technical design inputs.
• Quality engineering tools help translate concept development insights into design requirements
• Results from concept development help focus engineering efforts on what matters most
• The goal is continuing the conversation from concept development through product design
Beyond Requirements: How Quality Methods Provide Actionable Design Inputs - Deeney Enterprises
Did you see it, yet?
We are so excited over here about the new website design, with loads of benefits (not just features!) for you. Check it out at DeeneyEnterprises.com and bookmark it to revisit it frequently.
Three Actionable Insights from This Month's Newsletter
Embrace AI for Quality, Don't Fear It
AI isn't just for inspection; it's a tool to revolutionize factory quality control and more. Professionals who learn to integrate and leverage AI will thrive, becoming "AI boomers" rather than "doomers." To stay relevant, focus on continuously updating your knowledge and skills in this rapidly evolving domain.
Move Beyond the FMEA Worksheet
Your FMEA worksheet is a tool, not a final product. Focus on using FMEA to proactively identify risks and make risk-based decisions, ultimately leading to safer, more reliable designs.
Design for the User's Journey
Don't just focus on what your product does; understand how your user will interact with it. By mapping the user journey, you can identify critical-to-quality elements and create seamless, intuitive experiences that truly meet customer needs.
Q: Do any of these insights resonate with your current work?
How to engage with me
These episodes are just the beginning of a deeper conversation about smarter product development. If you're ready to explore how these mindset shifts can translate into tangible improvements for your projects and teams, let's connect.
SELF-PACED COURSE FMEA in Practice: from Plan to Risk-Based Decision Making is enrolling students now. Join over 300 students: Click Here.
CONSULTING We'll schedule a complimentary call, and you'll gain clarity on your situation.
COACHING Let's talk about your goals and to see if we're a good fit.
IN-PERSON EVENTS I'm attending these events. Let me know if we can meet up!
IDSA International Design Conference | Sept. 16 | Detroit, MI
IEEE Energy Conversion Congress & Expo | Oct 21st | Philadelphia, PA
Design 2 Part Show | Nov. 19th | Oaks, PA