Objective:
Create a methodology for transitioning larger and smaller shipyards from their current change implementation processes into new streamlined processes in order to reduce cycle time, rework, and waste.
Summary:
The Dynamic Change Awareness Research Announcement project was to address a fundamental issue for most Navy ship programs. Legacy methods of moving engineering, material, and production data from the people who produce or assemble the data to those who need and use the data form the basis for many current shipyard data transmittal processes. In most cases, digital data from the 3D CAD model flows to a certain point in the process and is then converted to paper (or to a static image file that can no longer be edited and is thus equivalent to paper). Although the stage of the process where transition to paper occurs can vary between processes and between shipyards, eventually the CAD data hits a “dead end” and the paper data transfer methods begin, with all the attendant issues common to such processes. These legacy processes do not support timely movement of change data to or from the waterfront, leading to increased delay, disruption and rework. The project team addressed the most common change issues most shipyards have:
- Excessive time from initiation and approval of the change to delivery of the change data to those who will execute the change,
- Methods and processes for delivery and documentation of proposed field changes back to Engineering and Change Management that are inconsistent and unreliable, and
- Methods and processes for delivery and documentation of actual production progress that are inconsistent, causing errors and rework due to incorrect assessment of the point of incorporation of the resultant change.
The project team successfully developed the requirements and mapped the current change management processes for Ingalls Shipbuilding, Bollinger Shipyards, and Austal, USA. Additionally, the team identified best practices for change data flow as well as opportunities for improvement.
Key Deliverables / Benefits:
Request Final Report from NSRP–Limited Distribution authorized to U.S. Shipyards and NSRP ASE Program Representatives
Point of Contact:
Greg Carithers, Ingalls Shipbuilding
Overview
Project Team:
- Ingalls Shipbuilding
- Bollinger Shipyards
- Austal USA
- ShipConstructor Software USA
September 2014 - August 2016
NSRP ASE Investment: $1.5M
Industry Investment: $1.5M