We serve a wide range of industries in Finland, which gives us valuable insight into the differences between industries. One of the most visible differences between sectors is the user requirement, often colloquially known as “urss”.
In the pharmaceutical industry, for example, user requirements are often very specific. This is done to meet Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, and thereby ensure patient safety. In some industrial sectors, a user request may be a simple email requesting, for example, a conveyor.
If the user requirement is extremely stringent on all points, the technical implementation may require almost scientific breakthroughs. Similarly, overly detailed requirements can limit the options. From an engineer’s point of view, the best way to record a requirement is by referring to standards or regulatory requirements.
The impact of the user requirement, and its scope, depends on the scale of the investment. In smaller projects, even strict requirements can often be met, but in larger projects, one poorly written requirement can cause complex problems. This is why it is important to review and update user requirements during the project. However, problems can arise if a party has performed in accordance with the original requirements and then the requirements are changed. At this stage, disagreements may arise over funding and other implications of the change.
On the other hand, too light source data and user requirements can also cause problems. Typically, this takes the form of a very narrow definition, such as “a conveyor is needed” or “a robot is needed”. In such situations, the customer’s real need remains unclear, with the result that the original root cause cannot be corrected.
Because of these examples, we offer the customer the opportunity to take small steps forward. For example, with a few days of work, we provide the client with a concept-level summary of how we see their challenge and what we think would be the most cost-effective way to address it.
If you need tips on user requirements and general production development, please contact Kimi Forsberg (+358 50 563 0465) or Pertti Yli-Kohtamäki (+358 44 325 0076)! Whether it’s the development of a single work phase or the implementation of a new production plant or line, Hefmec can help you for an hour or a financial year, depending on your needs.
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