Will it become the next big continuous improvement model?
In January, ASQ released the latest Manufacturing Outlook Survey. Respondents to the ASQ survey represent the aerospace, automotive, food, medical device, pharmaceutical and utility industries, among others. The ASQ 2014 Manufacturing Outlook Survey was fielded in a digital survey November 21-December 5, 2013. More than 700 manufacturing professionals around the world responded to the survey. As with past studies, the 2014 Manufacturing Outlook Survey respondents reported their organization’s expectations for the year in terms of revenue growth, greatest challenges, quality profession salary changes, and hiring (see sidebar for the 2014 responses). New to the 2014 Manufacturing Outlook Survey is the examination of smart manufacturing—also referred to as advanced process manufacturing technology.
The Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition (SMLC) defines smart manufacturing as the integration of network-based data and information that provides real-time understanding, reasoning, planning, management and related decision making of all aspects of a manufacturing and supply chain enterprise. The SMLC is an organization of manufacturing practitioner, supplier and technology companies; manufacturing consortia; universities; and government laboratories committed to the goals of smart manufacturing. The coalition has collectively developed and is pursuing a comprehensive technology and business roadmap to develop and implement smart manufacturing capabilities. ASQ joined the SMLC in 2013.