Simplify First: A Modernization Strategy for DoD Maintenance Depots
Abstract
DoD maintenance depots are under intense pressure to increase productivity while maintaining a robust capability for mobilization tasks. At the same time, capital investment funding, a key ingredient in the depots' productivity-enhancing initiatives, is decreasing. The depots can be resolve this situation by adopting a modernization strategy that focuses first on simplifying processes and only later on introducing automated production and inventory controls or process automation. Such a strategy is well proven in both the private sector and DoD. It uses current assets more productively and provides a sharper focus for capital investments. Simplification of repair or fabrication processes nearly always results in both immediate and long-lasting productivity gains and requires little, if any, net capital investment. Simplification takes many forms; one is illustrated by the application of group technology and cellular organization to the engine shop at Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, another by the integration of inventory management and maintenance scheduling at a major commercial airline. All experience shows that simplified processes substantially reduce depot turnaround times and operating costs. Simple processes are also easier to understand, which permits better planning for, and response to, mobilization.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA206489
Entities
People
- David R. Glass
- Lawrence Schwartz
Organizations
- LMI