What Is Engineering Change Management and Why It Is Important

In engineering work, nothing stay same forever. Sometimes customer ask for change, or we find mistake in design, or new material become available. So, we must change design, document, or product. But if we don’t manage change properly, it can create confusion, mistakes, delay, and cost. That’s why engineering change management is very important.

Engineering change management is a system to control and track changes in engineering product or system. It make sure all changes are reviewed, approved, and updated in documents. It also help in telling everyone — like design team, production team, and supplier — about the change.

What Is Engineering Change Management?

Engineering change management is the process of identifying, evaluating, approving, and implementing changes in engineering drawings, BOM (Bill of Materials), product parts, and other technical documents.

It is also known as ECM. In some companies, they call it Engineering Change Control or Engineering Change Process. But all means similar thing.

Example:
Let’s say car company find out that one screw in door panel is too short. It cause loose fitting. So, engineer suggest longer screw. This must go through engineering change management process to update drawing, tell factory, and inform supplier.

Why Engineering Change Management Is Important

Some people think change is small, no need process. But even small change, if not managed, can create big problem. Here is why engineering change management is important:

• Avoid confusion between design and production

• Ensure all people use same version of document

• Save time and cost by catching mistakes early

• Make sure only approved changes go to product

• Track history of changes for future reference

• Help in quality control and audits

In industries like aerospace, automotive, medical devices, or electronics, one small error in design can cost life or huge money. So, having strong engineering change management system is a must.

Common Examples of Engineering Change

Here are few real-world examples of when we need engineering change management:

1. Design Mistake Found

   • Drawing show wrong dimension. Need to fix it.

2. Supplier Part Obsolete

   • Old sensor is not available, new sensor must be used.

3. Customer Request

   • Customer want extra feature or function in product.

4. Cost Reduction

   • Engineer find cheaper material or process to save money.

5. Regulatory Change

   • New rule require product to meet new safety standard.

Every such case must follow engineering change process.

Engineering Change Management Process

Now let’s talk how engineering change management usually works. Different company have different steps, but basic process is similar.

1. Change Request (ECR – Engineering Change Request)

Someone find need for change. They create change request. It include reason for change, what will change, and effect on cost, quality, and schedule.

2. Impact Analysis

Engineering team study what areas are affected. It can be design, production, inventory, supplier, testing, etc.

3. Approval

A change control board (CCB) or manager review the request. If everything is OK, they approve it.

4. Engineering Change Order (ECO)

Once approved, official order is made to do the change. New drawing or part number is issued.

5. Implementation

Team update the document, tell supplier, inform production. Old stock may be used or scrapped, depending on situation.

6. Closure

After change is fully done, the change order is closed. Record is saved for audit and history.

Sometimes companies use software for this process. Example: PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems like Siemens Teamcenter, PTC Windchill, or SAP.

Best Practices for Engineering Change Management

To make engineering change management successful, here are some best practices:

1. Clear Documentation

Write everything clearly — what is changing, why, and how. Use sketches if needed.

2. Standard Template

Use same form or template for all change requests. This make review faster and less mistake.

3. Defined Roles

Decide who can request change, who approve, and who implement. This reduce confusion.

4. Version Control

Always keep old and new version properly labeled. Don't delete old files.

5. Training

Make sure all team members know how to use the system and why it’s important.

6. Communication

Inform all people affected by change — including production, purchase, and supplier.

7. Review Past Changes

Learn from old changes. Maybe same issue came before.

Following best practices make the system smooth and avoid trouble later.

Problems If Engineering Change Management Is Not Done Properly

Without proper engineering change management, company may face:

• Two teams using different version of drawing

• Wrong parts built or ordered

• Delays in delivery

• Customer complaints

• Legal issues if safety is affected

• Wasted inventory and money

That’s why even if change looks small, it must go through proper process.

Final Thoughts

In engineering and manufacturing, change is always happening. But change must be controlled. That is the job of engineering change management. It protect company from mistakes, save cost, and keep quality high.

Whether you work in design, production, or quality, you must understand the importance of this process. When everyone follow same system, the product becomes better, the team becomes stronger, and the customer becomes happier.

So, never ignore change. Manage it smartly.