ABSTRACT
Manufacturing system monitoring is about observing the process, checking for system compliance to standards and procedures, and verifying the quality of work performed meets expectations. Process monitoring is an on-going activity needed to understand current conditions and ensure the process is being implemented as intended and performing to expectations. This chapter provides the discussion of shop floor monitoring and verification with some of the fundamental practices. Some of the more common ways include shop floor observation, Gemba walks, process audits, performance reviews, and data analysis. A method for monitoring and confirming manufacturing system compliance is through layered process audits. When conducting scrap walks on the manufacturing floor, take the opportunity to talk directly with line leaders and operators to understand conditions under which various abnormalities and defects occurred. By investigating and analyzing all rejected products, incremental actions can be taken to permanently eliminate defects from reoccurring, improving product quality, and manufacturing productivity.
