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.

3. Automate an ICD

Write software to automate a repetitive task: Delivery information to or from user:
Work standards, instructions and guidelines

No.	Industry SIC	Year	Notes
1	1531	1996	Virtual model homes, created with the help of computer-aided design programs, are expected to be used by 59% of home-building companies by 2000, compared with 19% in 1995.
2	1600	2008	Many companies show a need for broader management strategy that addresses how they are creating, sharing, and using knowledge. Sharing-wise, the focus increasingly is on putting all the content a specific group of workers needs in one place, regardless of its source. Many organizations are using Web portals or internet sites as one-stop information shops designed to support jobs or work processes. Fluor Corp. has a website that allows 25,000 workers immediate access to all the procedures, guidelines, and standards needed for their particular job function. For example, an engineer of electrical power plants has access to designs, specifications, and best practices for that kind of plant.
3	3531	1994	Designers at Caterpillar use a virtual-reality system to test-drive machines before they're built.
4	3571	1988	Like IBM and Compaq, Acer assembled PCs on moving palates designed to test each freshly assembled machine automatically.
5	4513	2002	In the field, the PowerPads should be more intuitive than the existing truck-based system, according to FedEx, thus shrinking driver-training time and sharply reducing address errors on shipments. Drivers also will be able to immediately capture signatures electronically for the first time, matching an advantage claimed by rival United Parcel Service Inc. since 1991. The devices will send information more quickly back into FedEx's delivery network. FedEx said the PowerPad project will cost more than $150 million, including networking costs. PowerPads will save more than $20 million annually just on picking up packages, the company added

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