Paradoxically, the technology intelligentsia who sell themselves as manufacturing experts don’t spend time on the shop floor learning about the operation to which their technology will be applied. Unfortunately, in their search for a quick fix, some managements are willing to accept these self-qualified experts unquestioningly and risk sacrificing their organizations on the technology altar.
Fortunately, there are those who recognize the perils inherent to misapplication of technology, and the liability of not encouraging and using input from those actually doing the work. The Associated Press recently reported that Boeing is developing a low-tech assembly line for 747 production; the first change in 747 assembly in over 30 years. Management recognized early on that the only way to make this work was to invite the employees to participate in developing the new process.