Direct answer
Use phase gates with defined deliverables and formal change control. Projects without gates discover problems at commissioning, when correction is most expensive.
What this discipline delivers
- Concept and feasibility deliverables
- Basic and detailed design packages
- Procurement and manufacturing release
- Testing and acceptance documentation
- As-built documentation and handover pack
Method and stages
Design reviews
Structured reviews at concept, 30%, 60% and 90% design maturity.
Change control
Documented impact on cost, schedule and performance before approval.
Risk register
Live technical and schedule risks with owners and mitigations.
Document control
Version-controlled drawings, schematics and software with defined ownership.
Engineering and project considerations
- Buyer decisions on the critical path must be scheduled like deliverables
- Late requirement additions are the single largest cost driver
- Concurrent engineering shortens schedules but raises rework risk
- As-built documentation is a deliverable, not an afterthought
- Software version control is as important as drawing control
What to prepare before engaging engineering companies
- Decision-maker list and approval authority
- Design review calendar
- Change-control procedure agreed with suppliers
- Document ownership and format requirements
What to measure
Frequently asked questions
How many design reviews are appropriate?
At minimum concept, detailed design freeze and pre-FAT. Complex systems benefit from intermediate reviews at defined maturity levels.
Related engineering knowledge
Independent, buyer-side and supplier-neutral
Global B2B Group does not sell machines and does not represent equipment manufacturers. This material is published to help industrial organisations define the problem, prepare the specification and structure the investment before engineering partners are selected.