What distinguishes an ECP from operational changes?

An Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) is characterized primarily by its formal process for proposing design changes, which is critical in ensuring thorough review and consideration within engineering and manufacturing contexts. ECPs typically arise from the need to improve a product's performance, reliability, or manufacturability and require comprehensive documentation to evaluate the impact of the proposed changes on existing systems, costs, and timelines.

The formal nature of ECPs ensures that all stakeholders are informed and that there is a clear record of changes being made, facilitating better tracking and accountability. This is essential for maintaining quality and standards across processes and products.

In contrast, operational changes may not follow this rigorous documentation or proposal process and might instead involve simple or routine adjustments that don't necessarily impact the design or underlying engineering aspects significantly. Thus, the structured approach involved in ECPs is what sets them apart from more informal operational changes.