The CRAFT of Process Engineering
- Marty Schad
- Jul 5, 2018
- 2 min read
The dictionary defines craftsmanship as “skill at making things, or the skill with which something was made or done”. I view Process Engineering as a craft, and I’d like to elaborate a bit on this topic.
The projects I work on can be classified in two buckets:
Commercialization of R&D ideas and projects.
Step-change improvements in existing manufacturing operations.
As I have worked on these projects over the course of my career, I wanted to do each project as well as possible, obviously. I also wanted to improve and get better over time, so I could increase my impact and solve more complex problems more quickly.
As this evolution and learning has occurred, I have been defining and refining my process engineering craft. The “toolkit” I use today is much stronger and more complete than the one I used at the beginning of my career.
How can you tell if a process has been created or improved in a craftsman-like manner?
The process works reliably, and can be operated at will without herculean measures.
Product quality is insured by robust processes and methods, not via inspection.
The process engineering staff has done “whatever it took” to create robust processes that satisfy both internal and external customers.
The equipment builders have created equipment that satisfies the both the process needs and the final customers, with appropriate technology/”bells & whistles”. This is much easier said than done!
The process gracefully tolerates input material variations (over long time periods).
The process is capable of consistently meeting the customer requirements, without endless discussion about specification loosening.
It is known why the process works and what its shortcoming are.
Someone owns and can speak directly, and with fresh data, to the items discussed above.
My main learning is that creation of great processes is very deliberate act. Great processes are creatively engineered with tenacity, passion, diligence, and relentless attention to detail. They are anything but accidental occurrences.
YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK
Please think about the approach you have taken for your process (R&D or production) efforts over the past 18 months…
Have the processes been created, scaled-up, and delivered in a craftsman-like manner?
Has your ability to deliver robust processes increased significantly over the past 18 months?
I’d enjoy hearing about your organization’s “Process Craftsmanship”! As always, email me and I’ll get back to you promptly.
All the Best, Marty
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