Does Your Company Need a "[Company Name] Production System"?

Alcoa: About Alcoa: Alcoa Business System

From the Alcoa Production System (now “ABS”) to the Danaher Business System to the Ford Production System (the late 90's effort — does that still exist?), some companies have, at least in name, attempted to mimic the “Production System” aspect of the Toyota Production System (TPS).

At it's best, a CPS (“Company Production System”) is a recognition that the overall system, culture, and “way” of a company is important, more so than just copying Toyota's lean tools. At worst, I could see a “CPS” being just a PR initiative or a “program of the year” that is expected to bring just cost savings or a program that the company loses interest in after a shor time.

Does your company have a “CPS”? Do you see value in that? Only if it's done properly? What do you think? Click Comments to let us know.