From idea to realization: Creating awareness with the QTLC tool
At Settels Savenije Group of Companies, we are dedicated to designing and delivering solutions for our customers' challenges. But sometimes, our projects spark ideas for initiatives that improve our internal processes as well. In this interview, Maikel Michiels highlights one such initiative: the QLTC visualization tool.
Maikel Michiels, Manufacturing Architect at Settels Savenije Advanced Systems, focuses on the manufacturability of complex components and systems. By integrating manufacturing expertise into the engineering process and fostering a collaborative mindset between engineers and operators, he bridges the gap between design and execution.
What does QLTC stand for, and how does the tool bring this to life?
"QLTC stands for Quality, Logistics, Technology, and Cost. These are the pillars we use to track project progress. Every project involves trade-offs between these areas. Ideally, all pillars are ‘green,’ meaning everything is balanced. But that is often easier said than done because people do not always realize how these factors affect
each other and the project as a whole. To visualize this trade-off between (technological) quality, development time and costs, we designed this tool.”
How does the QLTC tool improve awareness in projects?
"When clients and project teams communicate, priorities can sometimes become unclear. Should we focus on minimizing costs, a fast development time, or quality? Without clarity, wrong assumptions can lead to poor decisions. The QLTC tool helps to reduce these errors by making priorities tangible and visible.”
"We also wanted a simple way to show that not everything can be optimized at once. You cannot create something that is fast to develop, cost-effective, and high-quality all at the same time. The tool helps teams, clients, and suppliers visualize these trade-offs by defining key KPIs. Without prioritizing, you might end up with mediocre results on all factors. That is why it is essential to recalibrate focus at the start of a project and at every new phase."
When do you use the QLTC tool in a project?
“We use the tool at several key moments, like project kick-offs, release meetings, and engineering reviews. It’s also super helpful during assembly, so operators know whether for example speed or precision should be prioritized.”
When do you use the QLTC tool in a project?
“We use the tool at several key moments, like project kick-offs, release meetings, and engineering reviews. It’s also super helpful during assembly, so operators know whether for example speed or precision should be prioritized.”
How does the QLTC tool work?
"The QLTC tool was designed by Jelle van Putten, a Junior Test Engineer who joined us as an intern through Stichting InnAut and is now an essential part of the team. He created a sliding mechanism, where each slider represents one of the factors. Behind the sliders is an elastic cord of a set length. For example, when you move the quality slider up, the cost and time sliders go down, visually showing how trade-offs work.”
“We also added a knob to simulate market conditions. Turning this knob adjusts the elasticity of the cord. In a calm market, the sliders lean greener. But in a busy market, they shift toward red, signaling higher costs and longer timelines."
Has the QLTC tool already shown its value within projects?
"Even though the tool is still pretty new, it has already proven its worth in several teams and projects. We are confident it will keep improving collaboration and communication, helping our teams stay focused on the priorities that matter most.”
Do you want to learn more about our projects, business and our people? Visit www.sttls.nl or contact us directly via phone or LinkedIn.
