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 people:
Create a virtual office location to avoid commute

No.	Industry SIC	Year	Notes
	7389	2006	More and more companies are moving customers service jobs out of high-overhead call centers and into what is possibly the lowest-overhead place in the U.S.: workers' homes. Homeshoring also provides a flexible just-in-time workforce. Shifts can last as little as 15 minutes. Agents are paid only for the time spent on the phone. Technology lets companies monitor worker performance with extreme precision. While a state-side call center worker typically costs $31 an hour, including overhead and training, home agents cost only $21. Willow says the company's home agents make sales that are up to 25% higher than in call centers; their customer satisfaction rates are often 40% better.

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