What are the TLA's commonly used in Engineering Management?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on commonly used three-letter acronyms (TLAs) in Engineering Management, specifically addressing terms like ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), RPN (Risk Priority Number), ECO (Engineering Change Order), and SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Dies). Participants clarified definitions and contexts for these acronyms, emphasizing their relevance in planning, quality control, and product development. The conversation also highlighted the importance of understanding these terms for effective communication in engineering management settings.

PREREQUISITES
  • Familiarity with Engineering Management concepts
  • Basic understanding of Six Sigma methodologies
  • Knowledge of quality control processes
  • Awareness of product development cycles
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems" for effective resource management
  • Explore "Risk Priority Number (RPN) in FMEA" for risk assessment techniques
  • Study "Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED)" to improve manufacturing efficiency
  • Investigate "Quality Function Deployment (QFD)" for aligning product features with customer needs
USEFUL FOR

Engineering managers, product developers, quality assurance professionals, and anyone involved in project planning and execution will benefit from this discussion.

brewnog
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I'm not really sure where this should go, I'm sure it'll find a home sooner or later.

Anyway, I've got an Engineering Management exam tomorrow, and my revision has revealed some holes in my knowledge. Amongst other things, there are a few TLA's for which I'm struggling to find definitions. The lecturer is a big fan of using acronyms without defining them (he uses DBP's a lot in the examples in his notes, I've just found out that they're disc brake pads!)

ERP? I have no idea about this, though the context is planning (perhaps this is the 'P'?)
RPN? I know that RPNs are the scores given by an FMEA, but what does it stand for?
ECO? No idea, but I know they're reduced by the use of a HOQ.
EMV? Again, the context is planning.
SMED? No idea.
QFD? Is this another way of saying HOQ?!
SPC? Should be pertaining to the Japanese paradigm?
NPD? I know it's a lead time, but what does it stand for?
DTI? In the context of government financing, would this be the Department of Trade and Industry?
USP? Unique Selling Point perhaps? Context is marketing.


I've already managed to work out what AON, AOA, JIT, FMAE, ESD, EFD, LSD, LFD, HOQ, TQM, ROS and ROCE are, but the remaining others are bugging me a bit.
 
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I am not a management type, but from my experience these are what they mean to me. Perhaps they fit in for your terms:

ERP: Enterprise Resource Planning (config. management)
RPN: Risk Priority Number (six sigma crap)
ECO: Engineering Change Order
EMV: ?
SMED: Single Minute Exchange of Dies (had to look this one up http://smed.tpfeurope.com/ )
QFD: Quality Function Deployment
SPC: Statistical Process Control
NPD: New Product Development
DTI: ?
USP: ?
 
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Cheers Fred!

A management chick friend of mine has filled in a few blanks. FYI, DTI turned out to be the Department of Trade and Industry (a UK thing), and a USP is a Unique Selling Point.

Thanks for those, let's hope they come in handy in the morning...
 
Good luck.

Cheerio. Pip-pip. :wink: