Computer aids for engineering change control

Our recent survey within the UK manufacturing industry has highlighted that engineering change control (ECC) is a significant issue in product development. There have appeared a large number of computer-aided ECC systems, commercially available or developed in-house. However, only a small number of companies have used, or are considering using, such computer aids to facilitate ECC process and activities, although these aids are generally perceived to have important roles to play. This implies the existence of a clear gap between what is used and what is available. This paper attempts to explain the gap and explore ways to fill it. This is accomplished by establishing a set of characteristics from practitioners' points of view under the categories of functionality, usability, flexibility and focus. Existing systems can be assessed against, and new developments can be guided by, these desirable requirements.