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 information by making an immediate connection between work or sale progress information and supporting systems:
Locate and assign work to employees in the field

No.	Industry SIC	Year	Notes
1	1521	2005	To help keep its homes affordable, Technical Olympic uses as many prefabricated components as possible. It also has adopted project-management and inventory-flow technology to make sure things happen where and when they should. The system also calls for builders and superintendents walking around with PDAs, entering every stage of construction in every house and sending that information in on the network. That's an immediate edge over the smaller, local builders with whom Technical Olympic mainly competes. Another advantage over the little guy is discount prices on large quantities of appliances.
2	4512	2004	JetBlue's strategy is basically similar to that of Southwest in terms of the broad competitive objectives. Like Southwest, JetBlue also relies on quick turnarounds but it does so by a heavy investment in IT rather than the flexibility of its workforce.
3	4800	2007	Several new technologies can allow in-the-field service providers to increase productivity. GPS systems can track the locations of technicians in real time, particularly when they have long assignments or the time needed to complete the work is unpredictable.
4	4800	2007	Some companies are using software to get a more timely and accurate view of its field force, allowing managers to make decisions as events unfold. A US cable company that began using a real-time dispatch system increased the number of jobs completed each day by 80 and reduced the time customers spent waiting for appointments with technicians by 30 minutes. Managers found that while the jobs were completed quickly, significant time was wasted between appointments. Managers can also use the data to fill in gaps in response to shifting demand, maximizing capacity.

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