Voices: Big Picture Interview
Big Picture Interview is a Q&A series featuring industy thought leaders.
Work backward to move forward
In this Big Picture Interview, figure out the true problems you want to solve before you plot a course of action.
Sep 7, 2016
Jennifer Ford is the North America presales design thinking lead for SAP – a long way of saying she works with SAP’s customers to help them understand and address the production, operations, and organizational problems they want to solve. At the SAP Manufacturing Industries Forum in suburban Chicago in June, she spoke about the value of design thinking and taking a holistic approach to problem-solving – working backward from desired outcomes rather than troubleshooting haphazardly. Afterward, Ford talked to Plant Services about why this approach is more effective and keys to making it happen.
Read MoreMore from this author...
MES: Powering up maintenance and quality control
Aug 2, 2016In this Big Picture Interview, learn how manufacturing execution systems can lift cross-plant consistency to new heights.Manufacturing excellence through pizza and continuous improvement
Jul 5, 2016In this Big Picture Interview, learn how to hire for – and apply – the soft skills that support continuous improvement.Whose fault is it if a 3D-printed product fails?
Jun 13, 2016And how can you protect your designs? Intellectual property lawyer Maya Eckstein shares her perspective.Maker faires: Building the future
May 10, 2016In this Big Picture Interview, Dorothy Jones-Davis and Meredith Lee explore how to foster interest in manufacturing and industrial careers.An Rx for the pains in your assets
May 9, 2016In this Big Picture Interview, a business-academia partnership aims to help companies prioritize asset tasks.Q&A with GE's Bernard Norris: Maintenance expertise moving outside the plant walls
Apr 12, 2016"Everything is going to be digitized."How automation is changing the jobs outlook: An educator's perspective
Mar 8, 2016Training needs to reflect new manufacturing workforce realities, UAFS dean says.Why automation doesn't have to be all-or-nothing
Feb 16, 2016Think your approach to automation has to be “go big or go home”? Think again, says Mitchell Weiss in this Big Picture InterviewWant to retain your top talent? Know what motivates their g-g-generation
Jan 14, 2016In this Big Picture Interview, Emily Saopraseuth and Ryan Kees explore how to nix generational conflict.Coming soon to your plant: Iron Man
Dec 11, 2015In this Big Picture Interview, Michael Davies says that advances in robotics, automation will reshape the workforce – really.The future of smart manufacturing: Think local, think small
Oct 19, 2015In this Big Picture Interview, José Rivera explores how collaborative team approaches help companies compete globally.Video interview: New CSIA CEO on the future of global, smart manufacturing
Oct 1, 2015In this exclusive interview, CSIA CEO José Rivera shares his thoughts on why trust and collaboration among plant teams will be key to the success of smart, integrated plant operations.Manufacturing Day 2015 on track for record participation
Sep 28, 2015Annual event looks to broaden perspectives, spark interest in manufacturing careers.'Reliability is long-term'
Sep 11, 2015In this special feature interview, Ramesh Gulati says plant managers need to take a more hands-on role and a long-term financial view to build a reliability program that’s...reliable.Reliability success: All in the details
Aug 6, 2015In this Big Picture Interview, Marie Getsug says if you want common-sense solutions to reliability issues, give everyone a seat at the table.Goal: Zero breakdowns
Jul 22, 2015A conversation with 2014 CMRP of the Year award winner Mary Jo Cherney on the importance of balancing investments in workforce development, company culture, and new technologies to achieve reliability goals.Overwhelmed by the IIoT?
Jul 16, 2015In this Big Picture Interview, Kevin Davenport urges mapping technology to business needs, not vice-versa.'A good maintenance technician is hard to come by'
Jun 12, 2015In this Big Picture Interview, Amanda Saam, a recent Somerset (Ky.) Community College graduate, wants more women to recognize the strong career opportunities in the industrial maintenance field.A road map for reliability professionals
Jun 8, 2015In this Big Picture Interview, Joe Park explores how organizational structuring can make or break a reliability program.Beware shiny objects: Why consumerism's creep should give manufacturers pause
May 15, 2015In this Big Picture Interview, Clay Flannigan says consumer technologies are making their way rapidly into industrial manufacturing, and vice-versa.Making a difference: Getting girls involved in STEM to change the future of engineering
Mar 24, 2015In this interview, Jayne Beck, manager of motor control center engineering at the Siemens West Chicago plant, talks about getting girls interested in engineering and the other STEM fields.Time to join the robotics revolution?
Feb 2, 2015In this Big Picture Interview, John Martini explains what's new, what's now and what to consider before you invest.Pass-along knowledge for the next generation of engineers and operators
Sep 10, 2014In this Big Picture Interview, Robert Perez explores the role of the machinery reliability engineer.Maintenance and reliability warnings
Jul 31, 2014In this Big Picture Interview, Klaus Brun explains why condition monitoring is only as good as the instrumentation accuracy and availability.The role of a leader: Mentoring future generations of reliability professionals
Jul 10, 2014Chris Mears, SMRP's 2013 Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional of the Year, talks about being a rising leader in the maintenance and reliability world.Mentoring the next generation of maintenance and reliability leaders
Jul 10, 2014In this Big Picture Interview, Chris Mears talks about the responsibilities of being a rising star in the maintenance and reliability profession.North American Maintenance Excellence
May 5, 2014In this Big Picture Interview, Frito-Lay describes how the NAME Award changed its operation.Safety and production training at Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing
Apr 7, 2014In this Big Picture Interview, Tony Miller talks about the importance of the dojo.Make the business case for predictive maintenance and condition monitoring
Mar 29, 2014Industry guru Jack Nicholas discusses the financial impact of equipment reliability.The financial impact of equipment reliability
Mar 12, 2014Industry guru Jack Nicholas makes the business case for predictive maintenance and condition monitoring.Predict and manage materials by analyzing data
Jan 22, 2014Tim Meyer discusses how Toyota uses information to make its supply, assembly, and delivery processes better.Manage data in its continuous flow through your organization
Jan 22, 2014John Maher talks about the thousands of pieces of information that comes from the supply chain and goes to customers.Material handling and the Baby Boom generation
Jan 22, 2014Gene Billings addresses the aging labor force and how automation can help.Engineering is a team sport
Jan 17, 2014New SME President talks about the future of manufacturing.How do you make sense of so much information from supply to demand?
Jan 8, 2014John Hayes talks about Big Data, supply chain, and material handling.Finger on the pulse of manufacturing
Jan 6, 2014In this Big Picture Interview, Rick Drumm talks about energy management, lean manufacturing, reshoring, and site selection.Qualified workers at the ready
Dec 16, 2013Military veterans talk about filling skilled manufacturing jobs with ex-military personnel.The rhythm of industry
Dec 4, 2013Lean principles put New York manufacturer in tune with the industry.Lubrication plays a major role in Turkey’s energy production
Nov 12, 2013In this Big Picture Interview, Murat Gezgin and Hakan Yildiz are convinced of the important role that lubrication plays in the optimal operation of their engines.Improve plant productivity with communication, data gathering, and analysis
Sep 3, 2013In this Big Picture Interview, Chuck Armbruster explores the past, present, and future of maintenance and reliability.4 stages of an asset's life
Jul 31, 2013In this Big Picture Interview, Stan Moore says design, installation, operation, and maintenance emulate the legs on a stool.Take a proactive approach to asset management and maintenance
Jul 9, 2013In this Big Picture Interview, Tim Goshert says proactive asset management could see advances similar to those in safety and environmental performance.Maintenance and reliability to the fore
Jun 25, 2013Former SMRP Chair Fred Dunbrack speaks about the state of the maintenance profession.Why you can't have a successful organization without maintenance
Jun 4, 2013In this Big Picture Interview, Fred Dunbrack says maintenance isn't just a repair thing.Is your maintenance team certifiable?
May 7, 2013In this Big Picture Interview, George Connaughton explains how the CMRP exam identifies real-world skill sets.How designed-in reliability strategies may alter the maintenance profession
Apr 8, 2013In this Big Picture Interview, Klaus Blache says organizations that understand equipment reliability's impact tend to support it.Preparing for maintenance and reliability changes
Mar 13, 2013The only way to create more output at low cost is to use manufacturing assets wisely.Where is the maintenance and reliability profession headed?
Mar 6, 2013In this Big Picture Interview, Bill Schlegel theorizes that safety, reliability, quality, energy management, and manufacturing are all connected.On the brink of change
Feb 7, 2013In this Big Picture Interview, Gino Palarchio discusses how implementation turns ideas into best-in-class maintenance practices.Partnering for improved reliability
Jan 9, 2013In this Big Picture Interview, Al Weber ponders the future of maintenance and reliability.Joint partnerships improve reliability
Dec 18, 2012Maintenance and production can work together to optimize assets and output.Why plant managers need to become energy managers
Nov 30, 2012Alexis Gajewski, digital editor for PlantServices.com, and Robb Dussault, Industrial Energy Management Specialist for Schneider Electric, discuss why plant managers need to become energy managers.Make the most of HMIs at your plant
Sep 7, 2012Alexis Gajewski, digital editor for PlantServices.com, and Dave Henrichs, Director of HMI at Schneider Electric, discuss the use of HMIs at your plant and how upgrading your HMIs can improve efficiency.Operators with maintenance in mind
Oct 26, 2011Global Competency Center and high-performance work system give employees the tools they need for high-hazard manufacturing.5 secrets of effective turnarounds
Aug 31, 2011Mario Abella, project control consultant at Nexen, discusses scheduling materials and personnel at very remote locations.The view from the electrical power plant
Jul 8, 2011Karl Fessenden, vice president of power generation services, energy services, at GE, discusses efficiency, the smart grid and regulatory factors.Thought Leaders: An interview with Rick Baldridge
May 23, 2011Alexis Gajewski, digital editor for PlantServices.com, interviews Rick Baldridge, Corporate Reliability Excellence Process Leader at Cargill Incorporated and Chair of SMRP.The Big Picture: Grainger works to revitalize the supply of skilled tradespeople in the U.S.
Apr 7, 2011Grainger CEO Jim Ryan discusses what his company is doing about the shortage of skilled tradespeople.