Scaling a hardware startup may be difficult. Hardware scaleups must streamline their workflow and procedures to meet the growing need for quicker product development and shorter market time. Implementing agile development approaches is one gateway to achieving this.
Main Parts of Agile Development
Agile development is a method of software development that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and customer satisfaction.
Agile approaches, such as Scrum, enable development teams to work in short sprints and make changes in response to client input. This strategy is especially beneficial for hardware scaleups since it allows them to swiftly adjust to market changes and streamline their product development process.
Project management is a critical component in agile development. Agile project management solutions, such as Trello and Asana, visualize the development process and enable team members to track progress, assign tasks, and interact with one another. These solutions also allow real-time communication, making it easier for team members to collaborate regardless of where they are.
Backlog management is another critical part of agile development. Backlog management solutions like Jira and Pivotal Tracker enable product owners to prioritize and manage the development team’s work. These technologies also give team members a clear perspective of the development process, making it easier for them to grasp what has to be done and when.
Scrum is one of the most widely utilized agile approaches in hardware development. Scrum is a methodology for managing and finishing large projects. It comprises the product owner, the development team, and the scrum master. These roles collaborate to plan and execute sprints, assess progress, and make necessary changes to the development process.
Software for Engineering Requirements Management
Requirements management is the basis of all major aerospace engineering projects and having a grip on requirements early on is the best way to ensure satisfying customer and stakeholder needs and delivering a project on time and within budget.
Here are some of the world’s leading requirements management software for hardware engineers.
Valispace
Valispace is a web-based platform for collaborative engineering. It allows engineers to manage and share requirements, designs, and test data in a centralized and secure environment. It is particularly useful for managing complex systems such as those in aerospace, robotics and automation.
It can integrate well with lots of tools (including MATLAB and Onshape) due to its open Rest API, meaning it can be a suitable home for precious aerospace engineering data.
- Benefit: Valispace enables teams to collaborate efficiently and effectively, reducing errors and improving the overall quality of the engineering process.
- Limitation: It is a web-based software, which may not be suitable for teams that work in areas with low internet connectivity. Additionally, it may not have the same level of 3D modeling and simulation capabilities as specialized CAD software.
DOORS (IBM)
DOORS is a widely used requirements management tool in the aerospace industry. It allows users to trace, analyze, and manage requirements throughout the development process.
- Benefit: It enables users to perform impact analysis, which helps identify the changes that need to be made when requirements change.
- Limitation: It can be complex to set up and use, and requires a certain level of technical expertise.
Jama Software
Jama Software is a web-based requirements management tool that allows users to collaborate on requirements in real-time.
- Benefit: It allows users to manage requirements in a centralized location and has a user-friendly interface.
- Limitation: It can be expensive for small teams and does not have a built-in simulation capability.
Software for Simulation
Another primary tool engineers use to test and assess the performance of complex systems is simulation software. NX, Solid Edge, and PTC Creo are primary simulation software tools in the aerospace sector. These software solutions enable engineers to undertake virtual testing on their designs, identifying and correcting any possible issues before products are built
Here are some of the engineers’ most well loved simulation software:
COMSOL Multiphysics
COMSOL Multiphysics is a simulation software that can be used to model a wide range of physics-based problems. It is particularly useful for simulating systems that involve multiple physics, including structural mechanics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics.
- Benefit: It can simulate a wide range of physics-based problems in a single platform.
- Limitation: It is a complex software and may have a steep learning curve for new users.
ANSYS
ANSYS is a simulation software that provides a wide range of tools for performing various types of simulations, such as finite element analysis, fluid dynamics, and electromagnetic simulations. It is widely used in the aerospace industry for simulating and analyzing the performance of aerospace systems and components.
- Benefit: ANSYS is a powerful simulation software that can handle a wide range of physics-based problems, providing accurate results and insight into the performance of aerospace systems.
- Limitation: It can be a complex software and may have a steep learning curve for new users. Additionally, it is a proprietary software and can be expensive to acquire and maintain.
3D Design Software
Aircraft design software is created primarily for aerospace engineers to use in the design and development of complex products. SharkCAD Pro, Design Tools, and Vehicle Sketch Pad are prominent engineering design software tools.
CATIA
CATIA is a 3D CAD software used for designing and engineering components and systems. It is developed by Dassault Systèmes and widely used in the aerospace industry for conceptual design, detailed design, and analysis of aircraft and spacecraft.
- Benefit: CATIA provides a wide range of powerful tools for design and engineering, including 3D modeling, analysis, and simulation
- Limitation: It is a proprietary software and can be expensive to acquire and maintain.
Agile Hardware Development: Sometimes a Challenge
Getting the development team on board with agile development approaches is one of the most challenging issues. This is especially true for hardware scaleups, as hardware development frequently requires many specialized talents and procedures. Another crucial factor to consider when scaling up hardware is improving its process. This is when agile hardware engineering tools come in handy.
Valispace, for example, provides a unified platform for collaboration and project management, allowing hardware scale-ups to simplify their workflow and speed product development. It’s a cloud-based platform that connects real-time requirements with the system model, enabling enhanced traceability throughout the development process. It also provides a centralized platform for collaboration and project management, and its features may be tailored to every project’s individual needs. Valispace automates hardware engineering tasks, manages maintenance and inventories, and provides real-time monitoring. It can also digitally export data and interface with other software applications.
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