ToCOLLABR8@aol.com writes:
> Too often, we get stuck in our own little world and don't care about the
> overall "system". I don't feel that it is my job to just design parts. My
> job is to participate in the process of designing quality parts that meet
> timing needs and quality standards. It goes beyond "connecting the
> dots" as we say in my business. To do this, I need to understand how
> much I really can influence by understanding the overall process, from
> design to assembly.
Hi Diane. Singularly, this is one of the most important things an engineer
has to do-speaking on my own experiences of working my way up through the
ranks. (BTW, what you are defining comes very close to what the Japanese
call TQM-as interpreted by them.) One of the issues of upper management is
to "institutionalize" the concepts you mention.
An organization, where everyone participates in such a manner, and
understands the perspectives of other team members, (including cash flow,
P&L, temporal issues in the market place, etc.,) is, indeed, a formidable
enterprise in the market place.
John
-- John Conover, 631 Lamont Ct., Campbell, CA., 95008, USA. VOX 408.370.2688, FAX 408.379.9602 john@johncon.com