Guidelines for Process BUILDERS
- Dec 12, 2019
- 2 min read
A guideline is defined as a general rule, principle, or piece of advice.
Guidelines can be very helpful. Part of this is that they are very concise and easily understood.
But there is more to their utility than just their brevity. Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett’s investment partner said:
“It is remarkable how much long-term advantage people like us have gotten by trying to be consistently not stupid, instead of trying to be very intelligent.”
In the spirit of Munger’s quote, I use guidelines to help me avoid stupidity. For example, I try to not (too flagrantly) violate rules of sound personal finance.
So, without further ado, I propose some guidelines for building Robust Manufacturing Processes…
Guidelines for Process BUILDERS
Tell the Equipment Group how they can help.
Have a very strong and irrefutable business case.
Think and act like an owner.
Find researchers who care about commercialization.
Develop reliable and predictive metrics and (solid) measurement methods.
Understand the: energy balance, transient performance, fluid and heat transfer, and, the mass-transfer.
Only planned experiments (this doesn’t include practicing and tinkering).
Find expert suppliers who care.
Ask for significant resources…money and people.
Keep spectators (vs. real “players”) away, as much as possible.
Operate the process yourself, many many times.
The operators are your ultimate receivers and customers: treat them as such.
My main learning from the above list is that many of the issues that arise in building great processes are not technical issues. They are issues of leadership, teamwork, courage, resolve, communication, and commitment. Motivated process builders try to control and optimize all the issues affecting their projects. This is part of doing “whatever it takes” to do the work of building great manufacturing processes.
CHALLENGE TO READERS
Please think about you and your organizations’ approach to building Great Manufacturing Processes over the past 5 to 10 years…
Develop (very quickly and with no self-editing) your own guidelines for building great manufacturing processes.
Review your list and the above list. Have any issues surfaced for current projects of high importance? What next actions need to be taken?
I’d love to hear what guidelines are most useful to you as you build robust manufacturing processes. What are your learnings and insights? If you email us, we will get back to you promptly. Thanks!
All the Best,
Marty
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