A Technical Agenda is required for Resource Allocation.
To do a Technical Agenda requires that the functions
we support (i.e., operations) have a strategy which is
stable over a 5 to 10 year period.
We are prepared to hypothecate such a strategy so we
can go forward in a unified way. However, there is one
avowed strategy - To Be World Class in Manufacturing by
achieving Exceptional Yield Performances - which is
already widely accepted.
Exceptional Yields (i.e., above 98%) are not achievable
by an evolutionary/incremental improvement in the
efficacy of current practices. What we need is a Step
Change.
You have a group that has studied Organization Learning
and I have led Step Change implementations, therefore
we are prepared to offer assistance to those
charged with making Step Change improvements in
manufacturing yields.
Step Change improvements will not come about:
- by lecturing or dictating to Du
Ponters,
- by relying solely on Du Ponters,
- by improving existing methodologies or
efficiencies,
- without some proactive intervention, and
- without an organizational predisposition to learn.
Step Change therefore requires:
- Participatory involvement and
receptivity by those who will be affected,
- a Paradigm Shift in the way we approach First
Pass Yield improvement,
- External stimulus from outsiders (e.g., consultants),
- Commitment by senior management, and
- A culture which allows mistakes and encourages
exploration.
The Paradigm Shift in the way we go about achieving
Step Change includes:
From |
|
|
To |
Asking How & What |
---> |
|
Asking Why, first |
Dividing to Conquer |
---> |
|
Integrating to Conquer |
Specialization/Discipline |
---> |
|
Lateralization/Creativity |
Knowing and Telling |
---> |
|
Listening and Asking |
Fixing and Doing |
---> |
|
Curing and Thinking |
Classical Accounting |
---> |
|
Relevant Accounting |
Short Term Optimization |
---> |
|
Long Term Optimization |
Local Optimization |
---> |
|
Global Optimization |
To get this Step Change Improvement Process started I recommend:
- A Step Change Committee be formed consisting
of persons from your department who might become
Chairpersons of Yield Improvement Teams.
- This Step Change Committee would exchange issues and
ways of going about executing a Step Change improvement.
- The Step Change Committee would be charged with devising
a Step Change Template which would have general applicability.
- Commitment by senior management and The Step Change
Template might include things like:
- Relevant Accounting and Benefits
- Ways to seek out and listen
- The Step Change Paradigm Shift
- Ways to Instrument, Model, Simulate and Experiment
- Planning so everyone WINS with Step Change
- Checklists and Questions to stimulate Creativity.
The benefits would be:
- Actionable template which could
proliferate easily,
- The beginnings of a New Way of problem solving,
- Confidence in tackling challenges of the '90s, and
- Renewed respect for the Technical Function.