Unique selling point: A project management book that focuses on managing projects in business Core audience: Project and business managers Place in the market: Professional book that can be used for continuing education

A roadmap to consistent, high-quality service for any organization
A service is typically something created to serve a paying customer, whether internal or external. Some services consist of several processes linked together while others consist of a single process.
This book introduces Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), an easy-to-master, yet highly effective data-driven method that prevents defects in any type of service process. The particular focus of this publication is service DFSS, which leads to what the authors term "a whole quality business," one that takes a proactive stance and gets things right the first time. Not only does the whole quality business produce a high-quality product and offer high-quality services, but it also operates at lower cost and higher efficiency, throughout the entire life cycle, than its competitors because all the links in the supply chain are optimized.
Following a detailed overview that sets forth the basic premise and key concepts of service DFSS, the authors offer all the information and tools needed to take advantage of service DFSS within their own organizations, including:
* Clear and in-depth coverage of the philosophical, organizational, and technical aspects of service DFSS
* Step-by-step roadmap of the entire service DFSS deployment and execution process
* Full discussions of all the key methods involved in service DFSS, including axiomatic design, design for X, the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ), transfer function, design scorecards, and Taguchi's method
* Practical, illustrative examples that demonstrate how the theory is put into practice
* Assistance in developing the necessary skills in applying DFSS in organizational settings
Problems and their solutions are provided at the end of each chapter to help readers grasp the key concepts they need to move forward in the text. Acclaro DFSS Light(r), a Java-based software package that implements axiomatic design processes discussed in Chapter Eight, is available for download from an accompanying Wiley ftp site. Acclaro DFSS Light(r) is a software product of Axiomatic Design Solutions, Inc.
This book is ideal as a reference to service DFSS for corporate executives, quality control managers, and process engineers, or as a complete training manual for DFSS teams. It is also a superior textbook for graduate students in management, operations, and quality assurance.

Fully updated edition of the bestselling book in healthcare operations. Practical case studies are used throughout to provide invaluable resources for training students and practitioners in healthcare. An ideal resource for students of healthcare management at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It can also be used by practitioners. The book translates complex operational models for busy practising healthcare professionals so that the methods can be easily applied to a workplace scenario.

Provides leaders with strategies and methods to change the way learning and training occurs for new engineers Takes a holistic view behind the low numbers of women in engineering using a problem solving approach centered on Lean Development (LD) Provides a direct comparison with the field of STEM and medicine and how the methods of training and learning can help minimizes bias and increase gender confidence Explores the lack of written knowledge (reusable knowledge) and uses methods of Lean Development (LD) to level the playing field between men and women Highlights the critical need for new female engineers to have access to mentors using technical coaching methods

Analyzing maintenance as an integrated system with objectives, strategies and processes that need to be planned, designed, engineered, and controlled using statistical and optimization techniques, the theme of this book is the strategic holistic system approach for maintenance. This approach enables maintenance decision makers to view maintenance as a provider of a competitive edge not a necessary evil. Encompassing maintenance systems; maintenance strategic and capacity planning, planned and preventive maintenance, work measurements and standards, material (spares) control, maintenance operations and control, planning and scheduling, maintenance quality, training, and others, this book gives readers an understanding of the relevant methodology and how to apply it to real-world problems in industry. Each chapter includes a number exercises and is suitable as a textbook or a reference for a professionals and practitioners whilst being of interest to industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and industrial management students. It can also be used as a textbook for short courses on maintenance in industry. This text is the second edition of the book, which has four new chapters added and three chapters are revised substantially to reflect development in maintenance since the publication of the first edition. The new chapters cover reliability centered maintenance, total productive maintenance, e-maintenance and maintenance performance, productivity and continuous improvement.

This book statistically confirms that complexity and changing technologies that affect the way operators interact within the systems of the nuclear facili-ties exacerbate the severity of incidents caused by human error and details the application of the systems engineering process to reduce human error given industries' rapidly advancing technology. Technology, Human Performance, and Nuclear Facilities: A Systems Engineering Approach to Reduce Human Error provides a basic understand-ing of Human Error/ P erformance and its relation to industrial operations and advancing technologies incorporated into facilities. The book discusses the context surrounding the complexity of changing technologies at nuclear facili-ties and the potential worsening of problems caused by human error when technology advancements concerning operator interaction with control sys-tems are implemented. It presents how to reduce human error propensity given the incorporation of advanced technology and covers ways to reduce human error using the systems engineering process. Also offered are several concepts related to the operator's involvement in the systems engineering process and the human performance integration with system operational requirements and system testing, evaluation, and validation, and the procedures and training development in the systems engineering process. This book presents empirical evidence for the importance of human performance management in the con-text of nuclear facilities and offers practical recommendations for the improve-ment of this function. Systems engineers, plant/ design engineers, the nuclear industry, plant operations management, and those involved in industrial and nuclear safety will find something of interest in this book.

On the manufacturing shop floor, the principle of "value comes from the production of parts rather than charts" crucially applies when using practical statistical process control (SPC). The production worker should need to enter only a sample's measurements to get immediately actionable information as to whether corrective action (e.g., as defined by a control plan's reaction plan) is necessary for an out-of-control situation, and should not have to perform any calculations, draw control charts, or use sophisticated statistical software. This book's key benefit for readers consists of spreadsheet-deployable solutions with all the mathematical precision of a vernier along with the simplicity of a stone ax. Traditional SPC relies on the assumption that sufficient data are available with which to estimate the process parameters and set suitable control limits. Many practical applications involve, however, short production runs for which no process history is available. There are nonetheless tested and practical control methods such as PRE-Control and short-run SPC that use the product specifications to set appropriate limits. PRE-Control relies solely on the specification limits while short-run SPC starts with the assumption that the process is capable-that is, at least a 4-sigma process, and works from there to set control limits. Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) and exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) charts also can be used for this purpose. Specialized charts can also track multiple part characteristics, and parts with different specifications, simultaneously. This is often useful, for example, where the same tool is engaged in mixed-model production. Readers will be able to deploy practical and simple control charts for production runs for which no prior history is available and control the processes until enough data accumulate to enable the traditional methods (assuming it ever does). They will be able to track multiple product features with different specifications and also control mixed-model applications in which a tool generates very short runs of parts with different specifications. The methods will not require software beyond readily available spreadsheets, nor will they require specialized tables that are not widely available. Process owners and quality engineers will be able to perform all supporting calculations in Microsoft Excel, and without the need for advanced software.

Presenting a clear and instructive toolkit for upper level undergraduate and postgraduate students to successfully understand and analyse foreign operation methods, this revised second edition brings up to date its unparalleled coverage with new theoretical and empirical research and the latest company case material. As experts in the field, the authors share their wealth of international knowledge to give the book a strong cross-cultural appeal. New to this edition:? an extended analysis using new and relevant case studies for students to explore foreign operation methods in the full range of small, large and multinational firms updated strategic analyses of emerging concerns, such as mode combination, flexibility and development over time a thorough overview of theoretical perspectives to encourage better understanding of the 'why, what and how' of mode decisions an updated mode strategy section which allows you to challenge existing perspectives and research. Influenced by the needs of the next generation of international business, management and marketing students, this second edition provides the most comprehensive coverage of foreign operation methods in current literature, and will be an excellent introduction to the nature and range of mode options available to companies as they internationalise.

Quality is the major topic in international industry today and its importance should increase in the 1990s. This book presents a step-by-step approach for implementing a quality improvement process in any type of organization. "Making Quality Happen" utilizes "quality" as the strategic weapon that should help an organization achieve its overall objective by improving the organization's customer impact, reducing its cost structure, increasing its competative market share and maximizing its employee productivity. The quality improvement process detailed by NcNealy should make quality and integral part of any organization, and not an added or extraneous feature. "Making Quality Happen" is targeted at a broad and deep audience of managers in all types or organizations around the world. The concepts and recommended actions expounded are directly applicable and have been implemented successfully in large and small organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors. hsi is a "hands-on", action-oriented, how-to guide ot implementing a quality improvement effort. It is not a theoretical, overly technical or academic treatise. Rather, it is a recipe for winning the quality revolution. Examples are used throughout the text to illustrate its key points and anecdotes from actual implementations are used to clarify, augment and illustrate the recommended action plans.

* Offers a comprehensive overview of startups' actions during the covid-19 pandemic, and takes lessons for startups operating in times of crisis more generally * Each chapter contains real-life cases based on interviews with individuals from startups around the world * Online supplements include PowerPoint slides, student quizzes, mini case studies and answers to questions in the book

* Offers a comprehensive overview of startups' actions during the covid-19 pandemic, and takes lessons for startups operating in times of crisis more generally * Each chapter contains real-life cases based on interviews with individuals from startups around the world * Online supplements include PowerPoint slides, student quizzes, mini case studies and answers to questions in the book

Renowned airline business visionary and sage adviser, Nawal Taneja, offers insights, inspiration, and practical measures, based on his extensive experience and practices in other businesses, on how high-level airline decision makers can extend the boundaries of their businesses to adapt to the dramatically changing lifestyles of consumers, now accelerated by the global pandemic

Laser-Based Additive Manufacturing (LBAM) technologies, hailed by some as the "third industrial revolution," can increase product performance, while reducing time-to-market and manufacturing costs. This book is a comprehensive look at new technologies in LBAM of metal parts, covering topics such as mechanical properties, microstructural features, thermal behavior and solidification, process parameters, optimization and control, uncertainty quantification, and more. The book is aimed at addressing the needs of a diverse cross-section of engineers and professionals.

The inspection process is one of the most important steps in manufacturing industries because it safeguards high quality products and customer satisfaction. Manual inspection may not provide the desired accuracy. This book introduces and implements a new methodology and develops the supporting technologies for automated inspection planning based on Computer Aided Design (CAD) models. It also provides and implements an efficient link for automated operation based on Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM). The link's output is a DMIS code programming file based on the inspection planning table that is executed on CMM.

This book enables enterprise business leaders - from CEOs to supervisors - to understand what "Continuous Improvement" is, why it is probably the best answer to improved business performance in years, and how to put it to work in the unique environment of a specific organization. The book examines what is at the core of "Continuous Improvement" and delves deeper into the elements and constituents necessary to take an organization to the next level to ensure its continued, long-term existence. It provides guidance to enterprise management and to professionals engaged in the implementation of a "Continuous Improvement" initiative and enables them to structure and manage its implementation successfully. It also provides tools to quickly assess where an enterprise business stands in terms of strategic management and "Continuous Improvement".

by Bob Camp The business improvement topic and quality tool called benchmarking is becoming widely understood and broadly applied. There are now applica firms that tions in almost all segments of the economy including industrial either produce a product or a service, non-profit organizations such as healthcare, government and education. The approach is starting to spread around the globe with initiatives in Europe, Asia Pacific and South America. This is commendable and reassuring and must show that there is significant interest in the approach and that it works. What is missing, however, are books and reference material that are not solely prepared in the US where benchmarking started. Theses would include examples of applications relevant to the local area and industries. They would include references to articles written about benchmarking appearing in local publications. In this fashion those interested would have near hand case histories of the use of benchmarking and therefore become encouraged to use the technique. Zairi and Leonard have done the benchmarking community a real service by documenting the European view and application of benchmark ing to a wide range of examples. But they have not stopped there. Their text includes treatment of a number of related facets of benchmarking that makes this a fairly thorough text."

The book is a synthesis of the state-of-the-art in project management concepts and techniques. The author places particular emphasis on precedence diagramming (PDM), at present the most widely used schedulingmethod. New theoretical improvements of PDM are presented, several for the first time in a book, such as: maximal type of precedence relationships, calculating the minimal and maximal available project durations, levelingresources when maximal relationships are used, and precedence diagramming time-cost trade-off. Discussions of computer implementation are included throughout the book. A PC-based software package called ProjectDirector', containing the theoretical improvements described in the book, is available from the author. Audience: Researchers, and undergraduate and graduate students in civil engineering, industrial engineering and operationsresearch, as well as practitioners, managers, and contractors interested in project management.

This book examines the dramatic increase in automotive assembly plants in the former Socialist Central European (CE) nations of Czechia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia from 1989 onwards. Enticed by relatively lower-wage labour and significant government incentives, the world's largest automakers have launched more than 20 passenger car assembly complexes in CE nations, with production accelerating dramatically since 2001. As a result, the annual passenger car production in Western Europe declined by more than 20% between 2001 and 2015, and alternatively in the CEE it increased by nearly 170% during this period. Drawing on case studies of 25 current and former foreign-run assembly plants, the author presents a rare historical account of automotive foreign assembly plants in the CE following this dramatic geographic shift. This book will expand the knowledge of policy-makers in Europe in relation to their pursuits of FDI and will be of great interest to scholars and students of business, economic history, political science, and development.

Kevin Maromonte, a specialist in corporate performance improvement, maintains that the next logical necessary step in the evolution of quality management is no less than the abolition of all company quality departments, including the Quality Assurance and Total Quality Management (TQM) departments, and their specialized functions. Instead, he argues persuasively that the responsibility for quality improvement should be dispersed throughout the organization, resulting in what he calls the Invisible Quality corporation. Only in this way can responsibility for the continuing creation and maintenance of quality in the production of goods and services be shared by management and employees. Why this is so and how it can be accomplished with little or no disruption to the organization is discussed reasonably and in compelling detail. More than just a guide, Maromonte's book offers a provocative new way to think about the organization and to help it achieve its highest potential. Essential reading for people at all corporate levels, and a challenging presentation for their colleagues in the academic business community.

Maromonte points out that as industry has evolved over the past century, the responsibility for corporate quality improvement has been increasingly decentralized, yet quality departments continue to exist in organizations. As a result, people in organizations now tend to look to others -- specifically quality professionals -- for quality improvement rather than to themselves. To rectify this, he argues that such compartmentalized responsibilities continuing to be absorbed by quality departments must be transferred to other departments throughout the corporation. If this is done, Maromonte states that not only will corporate performance be dramatically improved, but operating expenses will be drastically reduced, and he shows clearly how to do it. His approach is rational, methodical, and mindful of the hazards of attempting to impose drastic changes on any organization. The Invisible Quality concept must first be thoroughly understood and the reason for it accepted throughout the top levels of management. He shows how to accomplish this, how to instill a commitment to Invisible Quality in others, and then how to quantify and measure the results it achieves.

The Toyota Production System (TPS) is regarded as a sophisticated concept that helps us understand the world of manufacturing. It evolved from the system of mass-producing cars, established by Ford, and the Japanese have since endeavored to make their own universal production system. Though much has been accomplished, TPS' progress is a continuous process. The theme of this book is how to understand and learn TPS. There is a TPS concept that seems to elude many, and that is that manufacturers should be able to make a product available at the moment a customer comes and asks for it. There are various ways and various tools that can be used to pursue the ideal state, and therefore we need to focus on the basic principles of TPS. This book tries to explain those Toyota Production System concepts that may otherwise be elusive. This book focuses on the factory to help readers understand the fundamental ideology of TPS. The main character started his career as a technical expert in the R&D division of an automotive Company and eventually becomes an Instructor of TPS. His broad career in companies is used to vividly describe the form of the Toyota Production System. To explain the growth of apprentices of various titles and positions, this story is woven with several short stories presented from the perspective of the main character, who grows from being a group leader to section leader to manager to general manager. Essentially, this book describes the Toyota Production System as based on the philosophy: "Always sketching out and pursuing the ideal state of manufacturing."

The Toyota Production System (TPS) is regarded as a sophisticated concept that helps us understand the world of manufacturing. It evolved from the system of mass-producing cars, established by Ford, and the Japanese have since endeavored to make their own universal production system. Though much has been accomplished, TPS' progress is a continuous process. The theme of this book is how to understand and learn TPS. There is a TPS concept that seems to elude many, and that is that manufacturers should be able to make a product available at the moment a customer comes and asks for it. There are various ways and various tools that can be used to pursue the ideal state, and therefore we need to focus on the basic principles of TPS. This book tries to explain those Toyota Production System concepts that may otherwise be elusive. This book focuses on the factory to help readers understand the fundamental ideology of TPS. The main character started his career as a technical expert in the R&D division of an automotive Company and eventually becomes an Instructor of TPS. His broad career in companies is used to vividly describe the form of the Toyota Production System. To explain the growth of apprentices of various titles and positions, this story is woven with several short stories presented from the perspective of the main character, who grows from being a group leader to section leader to manager to general manager. Essentially, this book describes the Toyota Production System as based on the philosophy: "Always sketching out and pursuing the ideal state of manufacturing."

Align IT projects strategically to achieve business goals and objectives Project management and leadership to seize opportunities and manage threats Build and follow a roadmap to implement strategic governance Assess and improve project management capabilities Includes templates and case studies

This book provides the key technologies involved in an organization's digital transformation. It offers a deep understanding of the key technologies (Blockchain, AI, Big Data, IoT, etc.) involved and details the impact, the decision-making process, and the interplay between technologies, business models, and operations. Managing the Digital Transformation: Aligning Technologies, Business Models, and Operations provides frameworks and models to support digital transformation projects. The book presents the importance of digital transformation as a resilience approach to the operations processes and business models. It covers the essential elements integrating the technology, the organizations, the operations, and supply chain management used to move toward digital transformation. Concepts and mini-case studies are included to provide a deeper understanding of digital transformation projects with a holistic view. The book also examines the role that digital transformation plays with consideration of inter-organizational and intra-organizational capabilities, along with the role of digital culture, the worker's skills, business models, reconfiguration, as well as an operations optimization angle. Practitioners, consultants, governments, managers, scholars, and anyone interested in digital transformation will find the contents of this book very useful.

Selecting a suitable production control policy is a challenging task for managers because the superiority of one control over the other is controversial. This book analyzes pull production systems and provides a guideline to choose and implement a proper control policy in production processes. By employing a proper control policy the maximum possible throughput of the production system can be achieved with the minimum work-in-process inventory. Kanban, CONWIP, and base-stock as wellknown pull control policies are analyzed and analytical comparisons among them in multistage serial and assembly production processes are presented. Illustrated by carefully chosen examples and supported by analytical solutions, discussions provided in the book clarify the complexity of the comparisons that show there is no general superiority among the control systems. Th e book explains which structural parameters decide the superiority of one control scheme to the others, and how they are related. Given a confi guration of parameters, such as processing times and number of cards employed in the system, the superior control policy can be selected.