How can you effectively manage risk with design transfer and documentation?

3 Use tools

The third step to manage risk is to use appropriate tools and methods to facilitate and automate your design transfer and documentation tasks. For example, you can use software tools to create, manage, and track your design outputs, such as drawings, specifications, instructions, or test results. You can also use tools to generate, store, and share your design documentation, such as design history files, risk management files, or technical files. Using tools can help you reduce errors, save time, and improve consistency.

4 Validate and verify

The fourth step to manage risk is to validate and verify your design outputs and documentation before, during, and after the transfer. Validation means ensuring that your product meets the user needs and intended use, while verification means ensuring that your product conforms to the design inputs and specifications. You should perform validation and verification activities throughout the design and development cycle, as well as after the transfer to production. Validating and verifying can help you detect and correct any defects, deviations, or discrepancies.

5 Review and update

The fifth step to manage risk is to review and update your design outputs and documentation regularly and as needed. You should conduct periodic reviews to assess the status, progress, and quality of your design transfer and documentation activities. You should also update your design outputs and documentation whenever there are changes, improvements, or feedbacks on your product. Reviewing and updating can help you maintain accuracy, relevance, and compliance of your design information.

6 Communicate and collaborate

The sixth and final step to manage risk is to communicate and collaborate with your internal and external partners throughout the design transfer and documentation process. You should establish effective communication channels and methods to share information, expectations, and feedbacks with your team members, suppliers, contractors, or customers. You should also foster a collaborative culture and environment to encourage input, involvement, and support from your stakeholders. Communicating and collaborating can help you achieve alignment, coordination, and satisfaction.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?