last train to six sigma

摘要

Nowhere within Network Rail is the drive towards business excellence better enshrined than within the west coast project, which is tasked with carrying out the mammoth multi-billion pound upgrade of the west coast mainline. This project extends from Euston to Glasgow and is aimed at delivering a state of the art railway capable of supporting a more frequent service utilising high-speed tilting trains. The project has, however, been beset with difficulties, which culminated in the original 1997 cost forecast of ￡2.8bn escalating to ￡9bn (though now stabilised at ￡7.6bn). Something needed to be done to get a grip on quality, efficiency and costs.