Manufacturing Tools

Tool Bundles

Every system profile has a matched set of tools, sequenced across three phases. The right tools, applied in the right order, make the difference between improvement that sticks and effort that fades.

Correct sequencing matters. Tools are selected, not dumped. Each phase builds on the previous.

Firefighting Factory

1

Stabilise & See

Stop the chaos

  • Visibility

    Visual Management Boards

    Make problems visible as they happen

  • Stability

    Escalation Protocols

    Structured response to problems

  • Stability

    Daily Accountability Meetings

    15-minute problem surfacing

  • Visibility

    Basic OEE Tracking

    Understand where time goes

2

Fix the System

Address root causes

  • Quality

    5 Whys Analysis

    Find root causes, not symptoms

  • Stability

    Preventive Maintenance Schedule

    Stop breakdowns before they happen

  • Flow

    Standard Work Definition

    Document what good looks like

  • Quality

    Problem-Solving A3s

    Structured improvement method

3

Lock In & Scale

Sustain the gains

  • Automation

    Automated Alerts

    Proactive notification systems

  • Automation

    Integrated Maintenance System

    Predictive maintenance capability

  • Visibility

    Real-Time Performance Dashboards

    Instant operational awareness

People-Dependent Factory

1

Stabilise & See

Capture the knowledge

  • Visibility

    Knowledge Mapping

    Identify what lives in people's heads

  • Planning

    Skills Matrix

    Map capability gaps

  • Stability

    Process Documentation

    Write down what experts do

  • Stability

    Shadow Training Program

    Structured knowledge transfer

2

Fix the System

Build systematic capability

  • Flow

    Standard Operating Procedures

    Repeatable process guides

  • Quality

    Training Certification Program

    Verified skill development

  • Planning

    Decision Trees

    Codified decision logic

  • Stability

    Cross-Training Matrix

    Reduce single points of failure

3

Lock In & Scale

Embed in systems

  • Automation

    Digital Work Instructions

    Interactive, accessible guidance

  • Automation

    Knowledge Base System

    Searchable expertise library

  • Visibility

    Competency Tracking System

    Automated skill management

Data-Blind Factory

1

Stabilise & See

Create visibility

  • Visibility

    Manual Data Collection Forms

    Start measuring basics

  • Visibility

    Hourly Performance Boards

    Real-time manual tracking

  • Stability

    Downtime Logging

    Capture what stops production

  • Visibility

    Output Counting Systems

    Know what you're producing

2

Fix the System

Connect data to action

  • Planning

    KPI Hierarchy

    Align measures to goals

  • Flow

    Exception-Based Management

    Focus on what needs attention

  • Quality

    Performance Review Cadence

    Regular data-driven discussions

  • Stability

    Feedback Loop Design

    Close the information gap

3

Lock In & Scale

Automate data flow

  • Automation

    Automated Data Capture

    Remove manual collection

  • Visibility

    Real-Time Dashboards

    Instant operational visibility

  • Automation

    Integrated MES/ERP

    Connected information systems

Automation-Eager Factory

1

Stabilise & See

Assess and stabilise

  • Visibility

    Automation Audit

    Evaluate current technology state

  • Stability

    Process Stability Assessment

    Identify unstable foundations

  • Planning

    Capability Gap Analysis

    Match skills to technology

  • Visibility

    ROI Review

    Honest assessment of returns

2

Fix the System

Build the foundation

  • Flow

    Process Simplification

    Remove complexity before automating

  • Stability

    Maintenance Capability Building

    Support what you have

  • Planning

    Right-Sizing Assessment

    Match automation to need

  • Automation

    Integration Planning

    Connect systems properly

3

Lock In & Scale

Targeted automation

  • Automation

    Phased Automation Roadmap

    Sequenced technology adoption

  • Automation

    Data Integration Layer

    Connected automation systems

  • Visibility

    Performance Analytics

    Measure automation effectiveness

Planning-Constrained Factory

1

Stabilise & See

Understand the gaps

  • Visibility

    Plan vs Actual Tracking

    Measure execution variance

  • Visibility

    WIP Visualisation

    See where work accumulates

  • Flow

    Lead Time Mapping

    Track actual throughput time

  • Stability

    Constraint Identification

    Find the real bottlenecks

2

Fix the System

Improve flow

  • Flow

    Batch Size Reduction

    Smaller batches, faster flow

  • Flow

    Pull System Design

    Demand-driven production

  • Planning

    Buffer Management

    Strategic inventory positioning

  • Planning

    Schedule Levelling

    Smooth the production mix

3

Lock In & Scale

Integrated planning

  • Automation

    Advanced Planning System

    Optimised scheduling algorithms

  • Automation

    Real-Time Schedule Updates

    Dynamic plan adjustment

  • Visibility

    Integrated Demand Sensing

    Proactive demand response

Quality-Interrupted Factory

1

Stabilise & See

Understand quality losses

  • Visibility

    Defect Tracking System

    Count and categorise issues

  • Visibility

    Rework Measurement

    Quantify the cost of quality

  • Quality

    First-Pass Yield Tracking

    Measure right-first-time

  • Planning

    Quality Cost Analysis

    Understand total quality cost

2

Fix the System

Build quality in

  • Quality

    In-Process Verification

    Catch issues at the source

  • Quality

    Mistake-Proofing (Poka-Yoke)

    Design out errors

  • Quality

    Root Cause Analysis

    Eliminate recurring defects

  • Stability

    Process Capability Studies

    Understand process limits

3

Lock In & Scale

Automated quality

  • Automation

    Automated Inspection

    Consistent quality checks

  • Automation

    SPC Systems

    Statistical process control

  • Visibility

    Quality Data Integration

    Connected quality metrics

Constraint-Driven Factory

1

Stabilise & See

Identify and exploit

  • Visibility

    Constraint Identification

    Find the true bottleneck

  • Visibility

    Constraint Utilisation Tracking

    Measure constraint uptime

  • Flow

    Buffer Status Visibility

    Protect the constraint

  • Planning

    Non-Constraint Analysis

    Understand supporting capacity

2

Fix the System

Subordinate and elevate

  • Flow

    Drum-Buffer-Rope

    Synchronise to constraint pace

  • Stability

    Setup Reduction at Constraint

    Maximise constraint time

  • Quality

    Quality Focus at Constraint

    Never waste constraint capacity

  • Planning

    Constraint Elevation Plan

    Increase constraint capacity

3

Lock In & Scale

Optimise the system

  • Automation

    Automated Scheduling to Drum

    Optimised constraint loading

  • Visibility

    Throughput Accounting

    Measure true productivity

  • Planning

    Next Constraint Preparation

    Prepare for system evolution

Stable Analog Factory

1

Stabilise & See

Digitise visibility

  • Visibility

    Digital Data Capture

    Replace paper with screens

  • Flow

    Process Mapping

    Document current workflows

  • Planning

    Automation Opportunity Assessment

    Identify quick wins

  • Visibility

    Manual Effort Analysis

    Quantify administrative burden

2

Fix the System

Selective digitisation

  • Automation

    Paperless Work Instructions

    Digital guidance at point of use

  • Flow

    Electronic Travellers

    Track work digitally

  • Quality

    Digital Quality Records

    Automated documentation

  • Automation

    Integrated Data Systems

    Connect information silos

3

Lock In & Scale

Full integration

  • Automation

    MES Implementation

    Shop floor execution system

  • Automation

    ERP Integration

    Connected business systems

  • Visibility

    Analytics Platform

    Data-driven decision support

Automation-Ready Factory

1

Stabilise & See

Optimise current state

  • Visibility

    Advanced Analytics Assessment

    Identify prediction opportunities

  • Planning

    Integration Gap Analysis

    Find remaining disconnections

  • Visibility

    Competitive Benchmarking

    Understand market position

  • Planning

    Technology Roadmapping

    Plan next-generation capability

2

Fix the System

Advanced optimisation

  • Automation

    Predictive Analytics

    Forecast before it happens

  • Automation

    Advanced Process Control

    Self-optimising processes

  • Automation

    Digital Twin Development

    Virtual process modelling

  • Automation

    AI/ML Applications

    Intelligent automation

3

Lock In & Scale

Industry leadership

  • Automation

    Autonomous Operations

    Lights-out capability

  • Flow

    Supply Chain Integration

    End-to-end visibility and control

  • Quality

    Continuous Innovation Framework

    Systematic advancement