An integrated approach to production process improvement
by
Alan Veevers
CSIRO Mathematical and Information Sciences

There are three critical properties of a production process that contribute to its success. These are (1) the reliability of the equipment on which the product is made, (2) the capability of the process, and (3) the durability of the product. There have been many valuable statistical contributions in each of these areas. Nearly always, they are treated as separate research areas. Thus, one may become a specialist in, for example, reliability or in process improvement or in warranty issues. This talk explores a framework for integrating the implied "triple top line", with the aim of producing better products. Aspects of each of the three areas will be discussed and some recent developments connecting process capability and product durability in the presence of degradation will be presented.

Date received: April 12, 2002