|
Original Date: 07/23/1996
Revision Date: 01/18/2007
Best Practice : Program Launch
Nascote’s Program Launch is an organized method to ensure that all activities required for the introduction of new programs to production are planned for and implemented. The program also guarantees that human resources, equipment, and facilities are available and dedicated without interruption to existing production requirements.
Before 1994 when the program was begun, the project engineer was responsible for new program launches. Departments worked independently with little coordination between the departments and the project engineer, and there was no organization to ensure a successful launch. With limited advanced planning, the introduction of new programs suffered from lack of dedicated resources. Production workers did not see the parts until the new program reached the factory floor. Existing production took priority -- not the introduction of new programs. As a result, new program launches were unsuccessful with low yield rates, high defect rates, missed schedules, excessive costs, and interruptions in existing production.
In early 1994, Nascote dedicated resources to the new program launch effort. A Program Launch Group was established and an organized procedure put in place. The Group provided support to each department (customer) for launching new programs, provided a communications network to ensure all activities were coordinated and launch status was known. Core team members included representatives from the operations departments and the support departments. Under the Program Launch method, each department representative reviewed key processing assumptions (human resources, equipments, and facilities). Quantities and schedules were communicated to each department representative for review. Issues were identified and resolved prior to the launch.
Since the implementation of Program Launch, Nascote has launched all new programs on time and at or near their quoted prices. The transition from launch to production improved and the launch cost was reduced.
For more information see the
Point of Contact for this survey.
|
