Original Date: 10/20/1997
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Northrop Grumman recognizes communication as a critical element in employee participation. This approach has enabled the company to successfully involve its employees in activities to improve processes and enhance product quality and reliability. Northrop Grumman implemented a simple program using Action Item Boards, which allows employees on the shop floor to document problems, suggestions, or situations. Placed throughout the various work centers on the shop floor, these Boards can be used by anyone who feels that an item needs to be addressed to perform their job more efficiently.

Employees are encouraged to use the Boards and are assured by Northrop Grumman that their action items will receive a preliminary resolution within 24 hours. If an action item cannot be resolved immediately, then the preliminary resolution will also include an estimated completion date of the action item.

The Manufacturing Engineer in each area is responsible for maintaining the Board and ensuring that the action item is brought to the attention of the authoritative individual who can clear the item. However, the only person who can declare the item resolved is the employee who initially identified the action item. Accessible throughout the shop floor, this simple program is used daily by the employees and continues to provide a means for eliminating bottlenecks in the production process.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.