James Gregory Associates applies structured value analysis methods for end-to-end project management from product concept, to design, to development, to transition, to life-cycle support. JGA methodologies integrate and incorporate systems engineering, lean thinking, value analysis, design space analysis and six sigma methods.

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The Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) process was developed in coordination with many defense aerospace companies, based upon their best practices. JGA was instrumental in the effort to adapt IPPD processes to the research domain. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has adopted the process as the recommended approach for program management. IPPD and its outgrowth, the Systems Engineering process, as adapted, applies an organized method for managing an R&D program from start to finish, including documenting and justifying decisions.

JGA’s Value Analysis methodology is central to the IPPD process. It defines an approach for analyzing technology alternatives to determine which technical approach is best in the context of multiple customers. The methods that underlie industry six sigma quality initiatives form the means to quantitatively predict costs and risks associated with design decisions.

Design space analysis incorporates a modern statistical approach for conducting product design. It enables you, the user, to consider many design variables, their tolerable variability, and the customer requirements simultaneously and it helps you optimize the design to meet your customer’s requirements.

JGA has developed software to support and streamline these structured methodologies. Dynamic Insight^® leads users through the Systems Engineering process automatically populating and calculating results fields to perform value and design space analyses on your project. Web Project Room™ enables team members to maintain project communications and changes from any location, and Secure Web Window™ enables team meetings, training, and presentations to keep your team members up to date and allow the project to flow smoothly. In addition, JGA’s expert facilitators continue to assist Air Force pilot programs and others in government and industry, in applying this improved process for technology development. Our professional instructors teach courses in the methodology and in using the software tools. Seminars focus a team to help guide team members through a specific aspect of the process.

The IPPD process model comprises six top-level activities that apply current management techniques to project management. In Research and Development, applying the process model will result in technologies that can transition into production or application more quickly, at a lower cost, and with more certainty that the product or service will meet performance, producibility, supportability, cost, and low-risk objectives. Each activity has a number of sub-activities associated with it. The activities are:

• Determine Requirements
• Define Exit Criteria
• Develop Technology Alternatives
• Perform Value Analysis
• Develop and Demonstrate the technology
• Analyze and deliver the results

Click below for a detailed Adobe Acrobat version of the Process Model.
JGA IPPD Process Model v6.01 [545k PDF]
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JGA’s industry-proven structured methodologies form the backbone of project management, establishing a structured plan and supporting decision-making throughout the process. Whatever your business need, the structured, systems engineering IPPD methodology offers an improved process that can lead to your success quickly, easily, and affordably.