Abstract:
The competitiveness and growth in the manufacturing sector is critical for the UK
economy. It is imperative that the design and improvement of manufacturing systems
is a constant and dynamic task in the British manufacturing environment.
Unfortunately, many companies are still facing major difficulties during the
implementation of strategic decisions derived from the formulation of manufacturing
strategies. Current project management methodologies and techniques provide
inadequate support for managers facing the implementation of strategic
manufacturing initiatives (SMI). Therefore, the intention of this research is to provide
a rigorous and successful SMI implementation methodology whose structure and
contents include the most critical aspects relevant to the strategic manufacturing
environment.
The research described in this thesis has set out to form a SMI implementation
methodology through a structured research programme. Initially existing literature
related to SMI implementation methods was reviewed and analysed. A pilot
methodology was then formed by contrasting literature against a list of key success
factors in the implementation of strategic manufacturing initiatives determined from a
worldwide survey. The pilot methodology was evaluated by a selection of
practitioners, and results were used to refine the methodology. Finally, a validation
test in a manufacturing organisation was conducted through a case study
demonstrating the feasibility, usability and usefulness of the methodology. The fully
tested and refined methodology is presented as a workbook in the appendix of this
thesis.
The outcome of this research is a structured step by step methodology which is an aid
to the implementation of strategic manufacturing initiatives. The work described in
this thesis has made a significant contribution to the knowledge on how to go about
the implementation of strategic manufacturing initiatives.
