Viewpoint News, Challenge 2009

Challenge

by James Campbell - jac@viewpointusa.com

Challenge: if you are replacing an existing test system, before you implement the new system, measure some key performance indicators (KPIs) on the old system and then do the same on the new system.

Then you can analyze if the new system benefited the company. Possible KPIs are:

• Test cycle time

• Floor space usage

• Annual maintenance time

• Usage count of design team reviewing of test results per year

• Capital equipment costs (note purchase dates to allow inflation adjustments)

• Results reporting time (form filling and form printing for unit\batch\lot)

• Test data management time

• Usage count of quality, Lean, or Six Sigma teams in reviewing test results

• Amount of code reuse from product design and reliability groups (VI or function count)

I think it would be interesting to conduct a study of KPIs used by those responsible for test. The goal would be to share KPIs deemed beneficial for justifying a new test system. Would this collection be something that you would be interested in? I’m open to ideas so email me, even if you just want to let me know you’re interested in participating.