What is an Engineering Change Order (ECO)?

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Engineering Change Order

An engineering change order (ECO) outlines new product designs or proposed changes to existing designs and lists all affected parts and assemblies. It will include the reason for the change, documentation, drawings, manufacturing disposition codes, revision details, cost information, and other relevant information. ECOs must be reviewed and approved by internal product teams and their external supply chain partners. The group responsible for reviewing and approving changes is typically referred to as the change control board (CCB).

Automated Change Order Process

FAQs

What is an engineering change order system?

An engineering change order system is an electronic or paper-based system that is used to manage the engineering change order process—from documenting the necessary changes and obtaining approvals to providing instructions for change implementation.

*Source: versae.com

Why are engineering change orders important?

Engineering change orders (ECOs) minimize product development delays and reduce potential design, manufacturing, and inventory errors. ECOs also ensure that key stakeholders have reviewed and approved the product design changes. ECOs also allow organizations to reduce compliance risks by documenting the full history and audit trail of changes or new product designs.

How do you manage engineering change requests?

To effectively manage engineering change requests (ECRs), follow these steps:

  1. Request supporting materials to help build the case for making the change
  2. Determine if the change falls inside the scope of your project
  3. Assess the priority of the change request
  4. Approve or reject the change request
  5. Decide on a course of action moving forward

*Source: tallyfy.com

Best Practice

This article defines engineering change orders (ECOs), describes the role they play in new product development (NPD) and manufacturing, benefits or ECOs, and best practice processes.

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