CoLab

In just 9 months of using CoLab, @FordPro has already sped up product development times by 30%. Sourcing specialized parts and communicating design changes is now much easier. And Ford Pro is continuing to roll out CoLab to all their converter partners. colabsoftware.com

With @ mentions in CoLab, calling attention to a critical design issue is as easy as pinging a friend on social media. #engineering #designreview #mechanicaldesign

Cloud-native tools are quickly becoming table stakes for top performers. Don't make the mistake of recruiting exceptional engineers... only to lose them a year or two later because your processes are too painful. See how CoLab modernizes design review: hubs.li/Q01WdFJc0

Look, we get it. Spreadsheets are sturdy and reliable — but every spreadsheet has its limits. CoLab gives teams a better way to manage design reviews, feedback, and issues/changes. That means you can stop getting lost in Excel... and get lost in design thoughts instead. 🧠

Generating cost-down ideas is only half the battle. The real kicker is getting them implemented. Execution makes the difference between a program that can be scaled, and one that can’t — and it's where most VA/VE programs need the most work. Read more: hubs.li/Q01W4yD40

Effective VA programs tend to take a hybrid approach that makes the most of both in-person and virtual methods. But there are 3 main event types that any effective and modern VA/VE program should have. Read more about the 5 pillars of modern VA/VE: hubs.li/Q01VZVjX0

When the pandemic first hit, JCI quickly pivoted from in-person VA workshops to running virtual VA events in CoLab. The original goal was simply to replace in-person events. But now, the JCI team generates 2x more ideas. 📈 Read more to find out how: hubs.li/Q01VZNt_0

Reflect on your VA/VE program to ensure you get incentives, targets, and program structure right to motivate the team. Otherwise, misaligned incentives can easily drive the wrong behaviours. Read more about the 5 pillars of modern VA/VE here: hubs.ly/Q01VZlDC0

Misaligned incentives can easily drive the wrong behaviours. That's why you need to review the structure, goals, and incentives within your VA/VE program to make sure they truly align with your organizational goals. 🔎🎯 Read more here: hubs.li/Q01VYQML0

Do your design review meetings keep going down in flames? You might need to incorporate more asynchronous review. That way, meetings can be for productive discussions — not putting out fires. Get the step-by-step guide to asynchronous reviews in CoLab: hubs.li/Q01V3N8C0)

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to find the right organizational structure for your VA/VE goals. But there are 4 key roles every modern VA/VE program should have: 👉 Executive sponsor 👉 VA/VE champions 👉 Engineers/designers 👉 SME team Read more: hubs.li/Q01VYFQx0

As soon as Chao joined our team, we knew we'd make a great hiring decision. In our #teamwins channel, she's been described as: —> "an absolute force" —> "an incredible communicator" —> "killin it since Day 1!!!!!" Get to know her in this short interview: hubs.li/Q01XrRcj0

Focusing more on design-driven cost savings allows teams to be less reliant on finance-led tactics to hit their targets — and thus more resilient in the face of external pressures like inflation and supply shortages. Read more: hubs.li/Q01VY1Mx0

Supplier DFM reviews in CoLab work differently than most DFM processes today. There's no need for emails or PowerPoint decks or SharePoint folders. It's all just simple and streamlined, in an organized central hub. See for yourself in this product tour: hubs.li/Q01VXbvw0

Does your "virtual" process for VA/VE leave something to be desired? ✖️ Nobody does their best work within a messy email chain that’s 27 replies long (and counting). Don't just digitize your old process. Redesign it. Read here for tips on how to do it: hubs.li/Q01V4Y8c0

CoLab's Revenue team has openings for: 🌱 Customer Success Manager 🤝 Sr Account Executive 🔎 Sales Development Rep— x2 Get the details at hubs.li/Q01WpxcP0 Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply the better!

Becoming 25% more efficient sounds really good, right? Well, actually... it depends. If your process is ineffective to begin with, efficiency won't fix it. CoLab helps engineering teams be more efficient by being more *effective.* Check us out at hubs.ly/Q01VrhJS0

Engineers are all about data. So it's a little ~weird~ other industries are so far ahead on analytics. Until CoLab launched Insights.👀 It's built specifically for mechanical teams to use dashboards + KPIs to track and improve design review performance. hubs.li/Q01V3Hjz0

⚙️ What is integrated VE? It's a term that can be interpreted in multiple ways. At CoLab we typically use it to mean: 💡 Integrated VE = deliberately including at least 1 review cycle in your NPD process focused solely on cost/margins.💡 Read more: hubs.li/Q01V563b0

When do you loop suppliers into your development process? If you're waiting until you have 2D drawings available, you're waiting too long. ⚠️ Getting supplier feedback earlier lets you make smarter decisions that much sooner. Keep listening for more: hubs.li/Q01Vf-Qg0

We dare you to find someone with a more positive energy than Alan De Castro... We’ll wait. 🙃 Since he joined CoLab over a year ago, Alan’s sharp eyes and systematic approach have been keeping our QA engine humming along healthily! Get to know him here: colabsoftware.com/post/meet-the-…