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.
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Mark Graban
Mark Graban is an internationally-recognized consultant, author, and professional speaker who has worked in healthcare, manufacturing, and startups. He is author of the Shingo Award-winning books Lean Hospitals and Healthcare Kaizen, as well as The Executive Guide to Healthcare Kaizen. His most recent book is the anthology Practicing Lean that benefits the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation, where Mark is a board member. Mark is also a Senior Advisor to the technology company KaiNexus. His latest book has been released as an "in-progress" book, titled Measures of Success.