With a detailed discussion on the preparation and tools needed for an automotive process audit, this book addresses the fundamental issues and concerns by focusing on two objectives: explaining the methods and tools used in the process for the organization, and provide a reference or manual for dealing with documenting quality issues. This book addresses the fundamental issues and concerns for a successful automotive process audit and details specifically how to prepare for it. It presents a complete assessment of what an organization must do to earn certification in ISO standards, industry standards, and customer-specific requirements. It also focuses on the efficiency of resources within an organization so that an audit can be successful and describes the methodologies to optimize the process by knowing what to do, what to say, and how to prove it. A road map is offered for the "process audit" and the "layered audit," and defines a clear distinction between the preparation details for each. This book is intended for those that conduct audits, those who are interested in auditing, and those who are being audited. It specifically addresses how to prepare for an automotive process audit for readers who are involved in quality, manufacturing, and operations management, and those who work with suppliers.

Closed loop supply chains and their management have become mandatory for firms to stay competitive and profitable. This book provides insights into designing supply chain networks by understanding and incorporating key return parameters into the network design, which will affect profitability. The book discusses how customer categories and their acceptance behavior are incorporated into the network design. It also shows how to analyze the interaction of parameters on supply chain network design and profitability, offers modeling framework for incorporating uncertainties in the return product parameters, and shows how to design a robust network. Invaluable for managers in designing a sustainable, robust, and profitable supply chain network and ideal for managers, practitioners, and researchers in the area of supply chain network design and optimization.

Sustainability is one of the most embraced topics nowadays. Everybody is affected by issues of sustainability. Every organization needs to pay attention to these issues. As long as more people and more organizations are engaging in business and industry activities, there will always be a need for sustainability. This book presents tools such as lean six sigma to help sustain results by using process focused decisions. This book covers tools and techniques of industrial engineering to promote sustainability. It discusses a systems approach, the evolution of new products, development of sustainability alliances, and highlights the role of sustainability in advancing organizational goals. The book also addresses sustainability as a coordinated project using a project management approach. It includes the interface of humans and technology and presents an integration of analytics. The book is ideal for all engineering, business, and management fields.

This book will change the way you think about problems. It focuses on creating solutions to all sorts of complex problems by taking a practical, problem-solving approach. It discusses not only what needs to be done, but it also provides guidance and examples of how to do it. The book applies systems thinking to systems engineering and introduces several innovative concepts such as direct and indirect stakeholders and the Nine-System Model, which provides the context for the activities performed in the project, along with a framework for successful stakeholder management. A list of the figures and tables in this book is available at https://www.crcpress.com/9781138387935. FEATURES * Treats systems engineering as a problem-solving methodology * Describes what tools systems engineers use and how they use them in each state of the system lifecycle * Discusses the perennial problem of poor requirements, defines the grammar and structure of a requirement, and provides a template for a good imperative construction statement and the requirements for writing requirements * Provides examples of bad and questionable requirements and explains the reasons why they are bad and questionable * Introduces new concepts such as direct and indirect stakeholders and the Shmemp! * Includes the Nine-System Model and other unique tools for systems engineering

This multi-contributed handbook focuses on the latest workings of IoT (internet of Things) and Big Data. As the resources are limited, it's the endeavor of the authors to support and bring the information into one resource. The book is divided into 4 sections that covers IoT and technologies, the future of Big Data, algorithms, and case studies showing IoT and Big Data in various fields such as health care, manufacturing and automation. Features Focuses on the latest workings of IoT and Big Data Discusses the emerging role of technologies and the fast-growing market of Big Data Covers the movement toward automation with hardware, software, and sensors, and trying to save on energy resources Offers the latest technology on IoT Presents the future horizons on Big Data

Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) is an innovative continuous improvement methodology for designing new products, processes, and services by integrating Lean and Six Sigma principles. This book will explain how the DFSS methodology is used to design robust products, processes, or services right the first time by using the voice of the customer to meet Six Sigma performance. Robust designs are insensitive to variation and provide consistent performance in the hands of the customer. DFSS is used to meet customer needs by understanding their requirements, considering current process capability, identifying and reducing gaps, and verifying predictions to develop a robust design. This book offers: Methodology on how to implement DFSS in various industries Practical examples of the use of DFSS Sustainability utilizing Lean Six Sigma techniques and Lean product development Innovative designs using DFSS with concept generation Case studies for implementing the DFSS methodology Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) enables organizations to develop innovative designs. In order to redesign an existing process or design a new process, the success is dependent on a rigorous process and methodology. DFSS ensures that there are minimal defects in the introduction of new products, processes, or services. The authors have compiled all of the tools necessary for implementation of a practical approach though innovation.

Although regularly introducing new products or services is the lifeblood of most industries, bringing them to market can be fraught with peril. Timing, cost, and quality all play important roles in a successful product launch and avoiding expensive - often in more than just dollars - recalls and redesigns. Quality Assurance: Applying Methodologies for Launching New Products, Services, and Customer Satisfaction details continual improvement (CI), a proven process for avoiding common problems and creating customer satisfaction. The book explores the three fundamental approaches required to create a truly CI culture in any organization: a) consistent philosophy of improvement by management, b) receptive organizational culture, and c) the entire culture of the organization must be willing to make decisions based on measurement and data. It outlines the seven principles: research/plan, assure, explain, prioritize, demonstrate, confirm, and show. However, as with CI itself, this attitude must be incorporated into the processes of any organization and create products or services for the market place that will delight customers rather than just satisfying them. Time and cost constraints are the biggest culprits here, not any one person's lack of due diligence. When this happens, organizations must look at the bigger picture internally and identify it as a system problem. Based on the author's 35 years of experience, this book covers the essential items for doing the right thing the first time especially during launching a good product and/or service to the customer. It identifies key indicators and methodologies that will help you attain excellent performance, delivery, and cost with both the customer and supplier. In other words, by following these methodologies and indicators, the job will get done right the first time.

This book covers fire and extinguishing theory and reliability theory and how to validate any survey within the field of engineering. It's based on a year's study of historical literature, using critical review and document analysis. It covers how data is collected, analyzed, and presented. It discusses reliability theory, calculation, and uncertainty analysis, and after validating proposes a new methodology and approach using general scientific value and examples. Features Includes an in-depth study on relevant sprinkler reliability studies based for the first time on critical review and document analysis Presents a scientific validating analysis of studies based on how a survey should be conducted Critiques the fact that reliability of a sprinkler system as its ability to function as designed, has never been subject to surveys Suggestions for new survey methodology that can be used for the field of engineering, including all active and passive fire protection measures Discusses extinguishing theory, general design of extinguishing systems, different systems and the reliability of them all "Reliability Data on Fire Sprinkler Systems" will be of interest to Reliability Engineers, Systems, Architecture and Engineers, Design, Maintenance, Mechanical and, Civil Engineers, as well as those working in the field of fire protection and building and fire codes.

The key to success and reaching peak performance is integrating three processes to optimize business through the use of human performance improvement tools, lean thinking, operational excellence, along with a strong organizational culture as the underpinning. These components form the basis of the Peak Performance Model. The tools presented in this book, along with the case studies, demonstrate how the model is applied and integrated into company practices. Companies and organizations want to improve their performance, but many have not integrated the right tools and processes. Through the application of the Peak Performance Model, every company can achieve and sustain Peak Performance.

This book provides the latest research advances in the field of system reliability assurance and engineering. It contains reference material for applications of reliability in system engineering, offering a theoretical sound background with adequate numerical illustrations. Included are concepts pertaining to reliability analysis, assurance techniques and methodologies, tools, and practical applications of system reliability modeling and allocation. The collection discusses various soft computing techniques like artificial intelligence and particle swarm optimization approach for reliability assessment. Importance of differentiating between the optimal release time and testing stop time of the software has been explicitly discussed and presented in the book. Features: Creates understanding of the costs associated with complex systems Covers reliability measurement of engineering systems Incorporates an efficient effort-based expenditure policy incorporating cost and reliability criteria Provides information for optimal testing stop and release time of software system Presents software performance and security layout Addresses reliability prediction and its maintenance through advanced analytics techniques Overall, System Reliability Management: Solutions and Techniques is a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach for better communication of problems and solutions to increase the performance of the system for better utilization and resource management.

This book offers a practical and reliable approach to how an organization can move beyond all of the separate initiatives and hype associated with sustainability. It shows how to build in what is already in place, in order to create a sense of stewardship that protects the environment, creates a sense of social well-being, and shared value within the organization.

It is no secret that Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is not as popular with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as it is with larger ones. However, many SMEs are suppliers to larger entities who are pushing for superior quality and world-class process efficiencies from suppliers. Lean Six Sigma for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises: A Practical Guide provides a roadmap for the successful implementation and deployment of LSS in SMEs. It includes five real-world case studies that demonstrate how LSS tools have been successfully integrated into LSS methodology. Simplifying the terminology and methodology of LSS, this book makes the implementation process accessible. Supplies a general introduction to continuous improvement initiatives in SMEs Identifies the key phases in the introduction and development of LSS initiatives within an SME Details the most powerful LSS tools and techniques that can be used in an SME environment Provides tips on how to make the project selection process more successful This book covers the fundamental challenges and common pitfalls that can be avoided with successful introduction and deployment of LSS in the context of SMEs. Systematically guiding you through the application of the Six Sigma methodology for problem solving, the book devotes separate chapters to the most appropriate tools and techniques that can be useful in each stage of the methodology. Keeping the required math and statistics to a minimum, this practical guide will help you to deploy LSS as your prime methodology for achieving and sustaining world-class efficiency and effectiveness of critical business processes.

Statistical Analysis for the Reliability Engineering Professional Effectively conduct reliability analysis using the world's leading statistical software. Reliability Analysis with Minitab (R) outlines statistical concepts and applications, explains the theory of probability, reliability analysis, and quality improvement, and provides step-by-step instruction on the use of Minitab. Minitab introduces reliability analysis tools that can be used to perform tasks that range from checking the distribution fit of lifetime data to estimating the warranty costs of a product. Perform the Analyses Needed to Minimize Product Failures and Reduce Costs Chock full of examples that include numerous case studies and over 200 screenshots, this book is a comprehensive guide to quality and reliability in the service and manufacturing industries. It illustrates the shapes of the most commonly used statistical distributions in reliability analysis, and in simple language demonstrates concepts that include parametric reliability analysis, nonparametric reliability analysis, warranty analysis, accelerated life testing, reliability test plans, and probit analysis. Illustrating the application of Minitab for reliability analysis, this book explains how to: Perform reliability analysis of a product with right-censored and exact failure time data Complete reliability analysis of a product with arbitrarily censored failure time data Achieve nonparametric reliability analysis of a product Predict the amount of money that is needed to cover the warranty costs for products in a specific period of time in the future Analyze the results from accelerated life testing on two different products Determine the reliability test sample size when the test time and the number of failures are constrained Regulate the testing time when test sample size and the number of failures are constrained Compare the reliabilities of parts from different vendors Test whether the reliability of a product depends on certain factors Predict the stress level at which a product will fail after a certain test period

In today's business world, competitiveness defines the industrial leading edge. Organizations and businesses of all sizes are adopting Lean manufacturing practices to increase efficiency and address worries about their bottom lines. In a detailed review of this staple of Lean manufacturing, Cellular Manufacturing: Mitigating Risk and Uncertainty outlines how cellular manufacturing can do just that. It demonstrates how this approach can help you and your teams build a variety of products with as little waste as possible. The book begins by presenting a survey of the current state of existing methods that can best be used in the handling of the bottleneck machines and parts problem, which results from the cellular manufacturing system design. It then explores how decision making under risk is used to help the designer select the best cell arrangement in case of probabilistic production volume and maximize the profit imposed by resource capacity constraints. The author then presents a method for the system design of a manufacturing cell that aims for profit maximization over a certain period of time. He also discusses robust design, illustrated with a real application. Put simply, cellular manufacturing integrates machinery and a small team of staff, directed by a team leader, so all the work on a product or part can be accomplished in the same cell eliminating resources that do not add value to the product. A concise yet unique reference, this book incorporates decision making under risk into cellular manufacturing. The text makes the link that ties cellular manufacturing to the bottom line. It helps you recognize savings opportunities from elimination of downtime between operations, decreased material handling costs, decreased work-in-progress inventory and associated costs, reduced opportunity for handling errors, decreased downtime spent waiting for supplies or materials, and reduced losses from defective or obsolete products.

Global Logistics Management focuses on the evolution of logistics in the last two decades, and highlights recent developments from a worldwide perspective. The book details a wide range of application-oriented studies, from metropolitan bus routing problems to relief logistics, and introduces the state of the art on some classical applications. The book addresses typical logistic problems, most specifically the vehicle routing problem (VRP), followed by a series of analyses and discussions on various logistics problems plaguing airline and marine systems. The text addresses problems encountered in continuous space, and discusses the issue of consolidation, scheduling, and replenishment decisions together with routing. It proposes a methodology that supports decision making at a tactical and operational level associated with daily inventory management, and also examines the three-echelon logistic network. This material provides numerous examples and additional topics that include: An analysis for the airline industry and a novel approach for airline logistics including fare pricing and seat inventory control The berth-crane allocation problem in container terminals A marine system logistics application Ice navigation problems and factors that affect ice navigation Pharmaceutical warehouse route design problems An application in healthcare logistics in which medical suppliers are evaluated through a fuzzy linguistic representation model A real data-driven simulation model that outputs a new shuttle system A model that integrates routing and batching problems Joint replenishment and transportation problems Global Logistics Management clearly illustrates logistic problems encountered in many different application areas, and provides you with the latest advances in classical applications.

Diverse kinds of knowledge are vital for each organization that would successfully compete today in an international scenario. The emergent relevance of knowledge and its management in an even more complex environment opens up the possibility to analyze, investigate and deepen our understanding on different aspects related to several functional areas in business management. Nowadays, firms that create new knowledge and apply it effectively and efficiently will be successful at creating competitive advantages. The choices of the firms in selecting and applying different knowledge process (such as knowledge sourcing, transferring and exploiting) as well as knowledge tools may be crucial. Thus, the role of knowledge as the key source of potential advantage for organizations and indeed whole economies is still a hot debate in the international landscape. This book develops insights for the management of knowledge in cross-functional business areas to originate an innovative approach to the classical Knowledge Management (KM) field. This book provides a fresh perspective on different knowledge related topics in an international landscape, highlighting the key role of knowledge and its management in business activities. Overall, the primary aim of this book is to extend our understandings on how KM can be helpful in several cross-functional management areas, such as strategic management, finance, HRM and innovation as well as in different business circumstances such as M&A, internationalization processes and risk management.

Knowledge capital is at the core of the socio-economic global system. Profit and not-for profit firms, institutions, and organizations, in general, face unique opportunities and threats related to knowledge management. Digital technologies and digital transformation offer a wide array of opportunities for value creation. At the same time, organizations need to foster newer, faster, and more dynamic ways of mobilizing and managing knowledge. Emerging trends, such as artificial intelligence, collective intelligence, agile methodologies, open innovation, and co-creation enable new business models and managerial paradigms that need to be understood and conceptualized. This book offers an extensive overview of the most recent trends in knowledge management and the most advanced theoretical approaches, while, at the same time, providing a wide array of case studies and evidence-based knowledge management practices. It takes into account the interrelation between ICT and knowledge management challenges, in terms of human/non-human interactions, which requires extraordinary organizational change and renewal. Further, the book presents an up-to-date examination of and guidance for the implementation of knowledge management in an era of unprecedented human/non-human interaction. The book conveys the results of more than a decade of research and applied experience in the field of knowledge management carried out by the author. It is intended not only for students and academics but also for managers and practitioners who are interested in deepening their understanding of knowledge and learning.

For me and other tech people, leaders, and members of remote teams, we will be awakened by all the fantastic hands-on hints, best practices, and guiding principles based on solid ground that Hubbert provides in Inspiring Remote Tech Teams. We will be better prepared and better equipped to both contribute and lead efficiently in the digital economies that shape the future of our world. - Thomas DiGiacomo, President of Engineering and Innovation at SUSE Inspiring Remote Tech Teams is a trail map to building effective teams and organizations-now, as world health dictates remote work, and in the future, as global talent pools contribute to our digital economy. Humans are wired to be social, and world events require social distancing from our office community. The absence of "community" triggers primitive brain responses. These instinctual responses of survival, social belonging, and the power of story all profoundly surface during our reaction as we adjust to remote work. This trail map for team leaders improves team execution despite physical separation. The book covers simple neuroscience as it applies to our "separation." It is a hands-on guide to maintaining and improving teamwork while working remotely. It is also a hands-on guide at the intersection of teams + remote + laymen's neuroscience to create a positive sense of enthusiasm, engagement, and contribution, even when working apart. Remote teams, now and for the future, are the pathway to using global talent effectively. This book examines the combination of the "hard skills" of tech team project management and the "soft skills" of healthy distributed teams: remote offices, sales offices, partners, suppliers, customers, and teams engaging global talent pools. Practical examples and best practices offer hands-on methods to use neuroscience to help teams be their best, to improve collaboration, and to deliver consistent team results.

This book examines the FinTech revolution from a data privacy perspective. It analyzes key players on the FinTech market and the developments in various market segments. Particular attention is paid to an empirical analysis of the privacy statements of 505 German FinTech firms and how they were adapted after the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) entered into effect in May 2018. The analysis also includes 38 expert interviews with relevant stakeholders from supervisory and regulatory authorities, the financial and FinTech industry, leading consulting firms and consumer protection agencies. By adopting this approach, the book identifies key regulatory needs, offers a valuable asset for practitioners and academics alike, and shares intriguing insights for lawyers, economists and everyone interested in FinTech and data privacy.

This book looks at two technological advancements in the area of e-commerce, which dramatically seem to change the way consumers shop online. In particular, they automate certain crucial tasks inherent in the 'shopping' activity, thereby relieving consumers of having to perform them. These are shopping agents (or comparison tools) and automated marketplaces. It scrutinizes their underlying processes and the way they serve the consumer, thereby highlighting risks and issues associated with their use. The ultimate aim is to ascertain whether the current EU regulatory framework relating to consumer protection, e-commerce, data protection and security adequately addresses the relevant risks and issues, thus affording a 'safe' shopping environment to the e-consumer.

Engineering systems are an important element of world economy. Each year billions of dollars are spent to develop, manufacture, operate, and maintain various types of engineering systems about the globe. The reliability and usability of these systems have become important because of their increasing complexity, sophistication, and non-specialist users. Global competition and other factors are forcing manufacturers to produce highly reliable and usable engineering systems. Along with examples and solutions, this book integrates engineering systems reliability and usability into a single volume for those individuals that directly or indirectly are concerned with these areas.

The exponential increase in the development of technology coupled with the customers' immense desire to possess the newest technological products makes for truncated product lifespans, which instigates a substantial upsurge in their rate of disposal. Attempts have been made to establish specialized product recovery facilities with the intention of diminishing the volume of accumulated waste delivered to landfills using product recovery procedure such as remanufacturing. The economic benefits produced by remanufacturing also portray the role of product recovery in a more attractive light. The quality of a remanufactured product is uncertain for some consumers. Therefore, these consumers possess insecurities in deciding whether or not the remanufactured products will render the same expected performance. This ambiguity regarding a remanufactured product could possibly result in the consumer deciding against its purchase. With such consumer apprehension, remanufacturers often seek market mechanisms that provide reassurance as to the stable durability that these products still maintain. One strategy that the remanufacturers often use is the utilization of the premise of offering product warranties with preventive maintenance on their products. This book is concerned with the practice and theory of warranty management and preventive maintenance, particularly in relation to remanufactured products' warranties. Models developed in this book can be used for making the right decisions in offering renewable, nonrenewable, one and two dimensional warranty policies, and for managerial decision in considering maintenance contracts or outsourcing maintenance for remanufactured components and products. Features Discusses a variety of warranty policies and preventive maintenance of remanufactured products (first book to do so) Presents mathematical models and applications for warranty policies using examples and simulation results Considers cost and optimization problems from the remanufacturer's and buyer's points of views Provides a foundation for academicians interested in building models in the area of warranty and preventive maintenance analysis of remanufactured products Offers the essential methodology needed by practitioners involved with warranty and preventive maintenance analysis, along with extensive references for further research

Healthcare Affordability: Motivate People, Improve Processes, and Increase Performance applies the Theory of Affordability across the Healthcare Enterprise. Affordability is realized when the Value delivered exceeds the Patient's requirements, while the expense for the quality resources required to deliver that Value is at a Cost less than the revenue received from the competitive pricing applied to the care. The aim of healthcare affordability is to attain performance excellence in all areas across the entire Healthcare Enterprise. The Healthcare Enterprise involves 5 types of providers: Healthcare Providers, Medicine and Pharmaceutical Providers, Machine and Device Providers, Service and Supplier Providers, and Insurance and Payment Providers. Obviously, one key focal point of healthcare affordability is affordable healthcare, a condition that has been chased for decades, but has yet to be achieved. This book provides a useful framework and foundation for any organization to pursue and achieve Affordability. Although there are many methods used to accomplish performance improvement, this approach has been proven successful with many organizations. It integrates strategic vision and direction, with operational goals and objectives and tactical targets and tasks. This book also provides a leadership strategy and structure for change and transformation, and a designed plan to execute an 18-month implementation program. Features: Affords patients and providers a better, faster, safer, and more affordable and profitable experience and approach Offers solutions for current state dilemmas, and provides a framework for future state success Increases the speed of delivery, improves the quality, and decreases the cost of care Provides methods and tools for linking and integrating strategic, operational and tactical goals Healthcare Affordability: Motivate People, Improve Processes, and Increase Performance provides readers with methods and means for solving the complex problem of affordable healthcare.

Designing new products and improving existing ones is a continual process. Industrial design engineering is an industrial engineering process applied to product designs that are to be manufactured through techniques of production operations. Excellent industrial design engineering programs are essential for the nation's industry to succeed in selling useful and ecologically justifiable and usable products on a market flooded with goods and services. This unique text on industrial design engineering integrates basic knowledge, insight, and working methods from industrial engineering and product design subjects. Industrial Design Engineering: Inventive Problem Solving provides a combination of engineering thinking and design skills that give the researchers, practitioners, and students an excellent foundation for participation in product development projects and techniques for establishing and managing such projects. The design principles are presented around examples related to the designing of products, goods, and services. Case studies are developed around real problems and are based on the customer's needs.

Affordability is a new concept that allows the implementation of Continuous Improvement for any organization. It encapsulates contemporary methods that improve product and service profitability, increases market share, value, speed, quality and capability, and cuts down on cost. This new method addresses the needs of growing, improving, and sustaining an organization. It provides a framework and foundation for launching improvement initiatives, deploying continuous improvement, and maintaining the cultural habits and behaviors required to continue such efforts. Case studies from a variety of industries, businesses, and institutions are provided.