Some familiarity with manufacturing processes (general knowledge of common processes used, without details). Basic knowledge of manufacturing systems, e.g. production planning, MRP, lot sizing, costing. Some work experience in industry (an internship or co-op is acceptable)

Quick Response Manufacturing: A Companywide Approach to Lead Time Reduction, R. Suri, Productivity Press, 1998.

Knowledge of key drivers of manufacturing system performance, throughout the manufacturing enterprise (not just shop floor). How lead time reduction can drive improvements throughout the enterprise. Familiarity with common techniques and tools for manufacturing system analysis. How to conduct a manufacturing improvement project (includes: how to set goals and how to get management to sign off on those goals; gathering and analyzing data; using the right tools for analysis; deriving recommendations; presenting the recommendations to management). How to work in a team environment

Introduction to modern manufacturing strategy and the importance of Quick Response Manufacturing. Implementing quick response in production. Structured methodology to conduct a manufacturing improvement project. Team Building, conducting meetings. Creating a goals document. Tools for manufacturing system analysis. Impact of lot sizes and capacity planning. MRP in the modern manufacturing context. Supplier and Customer strategies. Quick response in Office Operations. Rapid new product introduction. Management mindset and performance measures. Steps to implementing changes and improvements.

The following statement indicates which of the following considerations are included in this course: economic, environmental, ethical, political, societal, health and safety, manufacturability, sustainability.

The course primarily addresses considerations of economic, manufacturability and sustainability

For undergraduates in the IE department, the course provides a senior design elective with hands-on experience in developing a solution to a real-world manufacturing problem. For the MSE Program, this is the capstone course that enables students to apply the tools and techniques they have learned in the program to solving a real-world manufacturing problem. For IE, ME and other graduate students in engineering and also in business, the course provides hands-on experience in solving a real-world manufacturing problem. For all students above, the course provides experience with teamwork, specifically, participating in a team-based real-world project.

The course consists of both individual learning and team-oriented learning, as well as both knowledge objectives as well as project (task-oriented) objectives, and progress in all these dimensions is measured. Individual learning is measured by graded homeworks and in-class quizzes. Team learning is measured by graded team homeworks. Progress toward team project objectives is measured via grades on meeting agendas, goals documents, project presentations (initial, progress, final), and the final project report.