CAD system use and engineering performance

Computer-aided design (CAD) systems can support engineering work at three levels: design, analysis, and communication. Seventy-five engineers in two gas turbine engine manufacturing companies were surveyed in an attempt to understand the relationship between these three types of CAD use and engineering performance. The results show strong links between different types of CAD use; use for design enables for for analysis, and 3-D system enables use of communication. Use of CAD communication features strongly relates to engineering performance. The results have implications for the design, implementation, management, and use of CAD systems