An Analysis of the Need for Industrial Engineering Capability in Production at Electronic Systems Division.

摘要

This study examines the need for industrial engineering capability within production at Electronic Systems Division (ESD). Production is looked at from World War II to the present time to show why production management is perceived today by many program managers and high level functional manager as only the classical production management techniques of tracking, monitoring and expediting deliverables. The current emphasis on cost is then examined to show why this classical approach is no longer a viable approach to production management. It is shown that production management must include close interface between industrial engineering and design engineers to make early determination of producibility and manufacturing feasibility when the design is most flexible and trade-offs are least costly. ESD is analyzed to determine if the production management functions within the Deputates have appropriate engineering capability to perform these functions. Factors causing resistance to obtaining industrial engineering capability in program production offices are discusssed with a recommended plan for overcoming these resistance factors. This study was accomplished by document research and interveiws of key personnel involved in DOD acquisition. It shows that more engineering capability is required in the production functions of ESD.