Reduce Unique ICDs by Redesigning the Product or the Process

The objective of this activity is to reduce the number of ICDs by reducing the occurrence of an ICD in producing a unit of Output, or by reducing the number of separate ICDs used in the Output. A unique ICD is one of the key activities in the work center's contribution to the final product (O). It is separate and distinct from any other activity in the work center. For example, the fastening of a part onto a subassembly and a quality control check of the subassembly would be unique ICDs.

B. Redesign the process of producing the ICD or Output

Change the process used to produce the ICD or Output to eliminate activities.

4. Reduce movement of an Input (People, Purchases or Capital)

Reduce movement of both people and ICDs: Get project participants feedback early to avoid later ICDs:
Customers

No.	Industry SIC	Year	Notes
1	2844	1990	To improve worker efficiency, Colgate put basic researchers directly in touch with consumers.
2	3600	2000	Gentner folded users and dealers into the product-development process.
3	5699	2003	The CEO reads the more than 1,000 comment cards, and e-mails that kids send in each month and answers some personally. While Hot Topic's teen clerks tune in to MTV to spot new trends, the CEO frequents rock concerts to the same end.
4	7372	2004	In order to test a market, Sony would produce a small batch of 5,000 copies and test it in the market because they had the ability to manufacture in small batches and ramp up this manufacturing should it be necessary to do so. This was important since some hits in Japan would fail in the US or Europe and vise versa. A successful title could sell two million copies at $50 each so the cost of testing was small compared to the same cost in cartridge technology. This CD approach allowed Sony to have a more intelligent estimate of demand and shipping requirements.
5	7375	2003	This process is clear in one of eBay's most cherished institutions: the Voice of the Customer program. Every couple of months, eBay brings in as many as a dozen sellers and buyers to ask them questions about how they work and what else eBay needs to do.

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