The Alabama Operations Management Institute’s Objective: “The creation of an “Industry / Higher Education System” network that develops “Process Oriented” leadership with a focus on implementation.”
Based on the Mercedes Benz US, Inc.’s Production System, The Alabama Operations Management Institute (AOMI) is intended to raise the skills of Operational Management in the state of Alabama, by providing training involving the role of a company’s process leadership in successfully implementing a sustainable production system.
AOMI participants first learn how to define a production system. A production system is defined as:
- Consistent use of standardized management concepts applied to all areas of the business with the ultimate target being a high quality/low cost product, when it is needed, in as short a time as possible.
- Attempts to simplify the business to allow greater involvement by ALL Team Members.
- Focuses on the elimination of waste (optimization of resources) in all parts of the business.
Characteristics of a production system include:
- Clean, well organized work places.
- Consistent use of standardized Management Principles, applied in all areas of the business.
- Common vocabulary and built-in Problem Solving Thought Process (PDCA).
- Exposes problems and waste, making them easy to see for opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Visually Managed/Focused on Inputs.
- Short feedback loops.
Operational Realities of a production system include:
- Increased demands on management time on the factory floor/real involvement.
- Very demanding on support departments.
- Timing is sacred – whatever it takes is only option.
- Problems are normal, but must create a higher level of intensity in ALL Team Members.
- Increased use of cross-functional teams/task forces.
- One Team/One Focus.
- Quick feedback.
AOMI focuses on the role of the leader in a production system. Some of the leadership points emphasized include:
- Cultural Development.
- Change yourself first.
- Be Consistent, Be Crystal Clear.
- Live your values daily.
- Ensure learning is done by DOING not listening.
- Promote problems as being normal / as opportunities to learn and coach.
- Lead with questions not answers.
- No “snap shot” assumptions.
- Teach the thought process… “thinking way”.
- Ask questions consistent with the standard problem solving process.
- Apply Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) to everything you do.
- Manage by Exception.
- Coach/Teach/Plan.
- Create a culture founded on Safety and Quality.
- Promote open communication and teamwork.
- Strive to simplify the business so ALL Team Members can participate.
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