ENTROPY in 2020…

Entropy is a measure of disorder in a system.

The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics says that entropy (aka disorder) increases naturally and inevitably, for closed systems.

Therefore, the “natural” state of affairs is for no (clever) new processes to be built and for existing processes to decay and decline over time.

Fortunately, we can do something (actually a lot) about this situation!

Specifically, 95% of 2020 is still left, so now is a particularly good time to consider how we can “do battle with entropy” during 2020.

Let’s think about how we can apply Process Stewardship and Process Excellence towards building Great Processes in 2020.

What useful questions come to mind? How can we supply energy and velocity to our process building efforts?

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Acceleration Questions for NEW PROCESSES

Question #1

What brand-new processes are you building, and how are these efforts going? What do the process builders need to accelerate their efforts?

Question #2

Which are the most promising research ideas? Who are the researchers most interested in having a real commercial impact? Which research projects merit sustained and focused process-building efforts to explore the true commercial manufacturing and business potential?

Question #3

Do you have the right metrics and measurements for the process and product? Are your measurements reliable and up to the task? This work should be done early to have maximum impact.

Question #4

Do you have and use systems, such as Project Initiation Sheets, to focus project definition and key milestones? If not, develop and start using this key project launch tool immediately.

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Acceleration Questions for EXISTING MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

Question #1

What chronic manufacturing issue or problem would be most useful to resolve FOR YOUR CUSTOMER? Which problem lends itself most naturally to a process-based solution?

Question #2

Have you been focused on symptoms or true root causes? Might some of the root causes still be profitable areas to initiate a new yield improvement project on?

Question #3

Have you examined the impact of your process on life-cycle considerations? Are you striving for a zero-waste manufacturing facility? If your answer is no, why not and when will you start?

Question #4

What is your competitors’ process? How does yours stack up to theirs? How can this learning be exploited to improve your existing manufacturing operation?

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My main learning from this line of thinking is how vital initiative and leadership are in the crafting of bold and significant manufacturing processes. Initiative must be taken to propose and start new projects, despite the inherent risks that come with such innovation. Leadership must be continuously shown, to understand and communicate the vision and hoped for benefits. Motivated process-builders understand and welcome this opportunity to control their own destiny and move forward with enthusiasm and purpose.

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CHALLENGE TO READERS

Please think about your current process related projects and which will be most important to progress on significantly during 2020…

• What “vital few” process-building efforts (both for new and existing processes) are already underway? Should any of these efforts be accelerated? Stopped? Why?

• What bold project has tremendous potential and has yet to be fully explored?

I’m interested in how you have directed your planning and focus and energy towards building Great Manufacturing Processes in 2020. Clear thinking and a strong stomach go a long way. Where are you and your organization at regarding “controlling your own destiny”? If you email us, we will get back to you promptly. Thanks!

All the Best,

Marty

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