Concurrent engineering also known as simultaneous engineering, is a non-linear product or project design approach during which a multiplicity of perspectives are considered throughout the design process.
As a result the scope of product design is extended beyond function to encompass additional areas such as maintenance, marketing, operational support, procurement, production, quality and usability.
Typically a team engaged in a concurrent engineering project consists of product design engineers, manufacturing engineers, marketing personnel, purchasing, finance, suppliers and users.
Concurrent engineering techniques can be used to compress time in the product development cycle, and business cycles in general.