Change Boards in the Operations Process

In the operations world, no design becomes static once it is released. Although most designs are well developed before initial release, there are a number of reasons why a design must be changed:

• The released engineering is difficult to manufacture, causing a modification or change to dimensions, materials, or process.
• The design is costly to produce and cost savings programs dictate that it needs to be produced at cheaper cost,  This also applies to weight savings (i.e aircraft) where extra weight hampers technical performance and/or fuel consumption.
• Other reasons that improve the manufacturability or delivery of a part, such as inspection criteria, inclusion of new reference notes, etc.

(Courtesy of mountainvision.blogspot.com)

To get operations and engineering to agree on a new go forward path, a change board is set up.  The change board can be used for any size company but is especially necessary in a larger company (greater than 1000 employees).

To start the process, a kickoff meeting is set up to explain the "problem" and outline the solution to it.  This is usually initiated by engineering or manufacturing because one or both of these two groups will be the catalyst to the change.  Invite representatives from any affected group to attend the meeting.  Inviting "extras" doesn't hurt: they will leave the meeting if the change doesn't affect them.

During the meeting explain the change in full detail, especially explaining the cost/ schedule benefits to proceeding with the change.  Upper management will want to see "the numbers" and will balk at changing the status quo if there is no a good case for it.  After all have given input (hopefully they all approve the change), then the schedulers can decide when the change will be implemented.  Of course good communication to the group is essential with PowerPoint slides and other documentation shared along the  way.

A successful change board meeting will please eveyone!
(Photo courtesy of chaicagocitylimits.com)