SDWT requires tools to be successful

Abstract

This paper will describe two Harris Semiconductor success stories and discuss the SDWT (self-directed work team) tools used to be successful. The first story concerns a union factory that, faced with the potential loss of a major customer, tried a new approach to creating dialog between teams from each company. The second story concerns a wafer fabrication line where teams were in place for two years with little signs of improvement. By introducing TOC and TPM, in combination with a structured team environment, the same group of people made significant operational improvements within six months (40% increase in volume, 2x improvement in die yield (quality), 23% reduction in cycle time, and 16% improvement in line yield).