ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of the attributes associated with manufacturing excellence. A disciplined workforce is more likely to achieve operational excellence when a well-planned organizational structure is executed, monitored, controlled, and continuously improved. Organizational structure must be complemented by operational discipline. Accountability is reflected in an individual’s willingness to accept responsibility for one’s actions. Agility is the ability to move quickly in response to an uncertain and changing environment. Employee development can occur in many ways including training, mentoring, and coaching. Process control is an essential discipline of shop floor operations and manufacturing excellence. Standards help to reduce process variation, stabilizing systems, and establish a baseline for continuous improvement. Technical advancement is dictated by continuous innovation to achieve leaner and more adaptable processes that are safer, cheaper, easier, and more efficient to deploy. Customer satisfaction is the end goal since the customer is the reason why companies exist.
