Robust design methodology in a generic product design process

Although Robust Design Methodology is a well-established concept, many companies are still unaware of it. The importance of variation issues is recognized but tools that can be associated with Robust Design Methodology are applied without consideration to an underlying framework. In other words, many companies exhibit unstructured approaches to Robust Design Methodology. In this paper we provide some guidelines for implementing Robust Design Methodology in a generic product design process. The different phases of a product design process require different tools that comply with their respective purposes. We outline available tools and methods associated with Robust Design Methodology and give recommendations for where these tools can be utilized in a product design process to increase the products' level of robustness. We also emphasize the importance of an awareness of variation and thinking in terms of robustness in a Robust Design Methodology context. Review questions can contribute in these two respects and they can most suitably be posed at the end of the different phases of a product design process.