Productivity Improvement - Principles - Sumanth - 1984

David J Sumanth in his book Productivity Engineering and Management, published by McGraw Hill in 1984 listed the following principles in the chapter Productivity Improvement Concepts.

1. Microprocessor Principle
Whenever and wherever possible, design products and processes with microprocessor control.

2. Global-Market Principle
Design and manufacture products for global markets.

3. Learning Curve Principle
Wherever possible, plan productivity levels and product costs on a learning curve.

4.Secrecy Principle
Productivity improvement strategies that are novel when compared to the competitors must be kept secret.

5. Product-Mix Principle
Develop a product mix that consistently shows the largest gains in total market productivity and market share.

6. Emulation Principle
Take the best of at least three competitors' technologies in product design, development and production

7. Productivity Gain-Sharing Principle
Always, share the gains in productivity improvements with everydone directly or indirectly responsible for it, particularly employees and customers.

8. Leading Competitor Principle
Be the leading competitor for as many products/services as possible.

9. Harmony Principle
Seek harmony in human relations at all levels of management from the topmost executive down to the production/opertions level employee.

10. International Outlook Principle
Keep an international perspective in management activities related to planning, research and development, marketing, operations/production,and technology transfer.

11. Cooperative Research Principle
Work closely with universities and generic research establishments to bring in ideas for productivity improvement.

12. Productivity Process Principle
Productivity improvement must be an ongoing, day-to-day process and not a one-time program or project