SkellyConnorAssignment4_PR1

.docx

School

University of Florida *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

5212

Subject

Mechanical Engineering

Date

Feb 20, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

4

Uploaded by BaronAnteater2002

Report
Readers Objectives Action iMpression Who is the audience and which CPP- communicator type are they? How will you change the reader, and which CPP-communicator type are you? What do you want the reader to do? What will the reader think of you? The audience is the manager over the definition group. They are likely a technical or people communicator. I will convince the manager that changes need to be made for the sake of the definition role. Speak with sales about improving their outputs. Speak with IT about developing a database for the role. I want the reader to think I am persuasive and understand the design process well. Background: Gulfstream – Private Jet Manufacturers Completions – Branch of the company responsible for designing and manufacturing the interior of the aircraft, often highly customized by the customers Definition/definer – a role that requires evaluating customer floor plan layouts and choosing to either reuse or make new assets and installations Build list – list of assets or installations that are to be included on the aircraft Serial number – a different number given to each customer aircraft Specification (spec) – an 80-page document that is basically a wall of text that describes what is going on in the customer’s aircraft. It is broken down into spec sections i.e., the galley is 3000, sidewall and headliner 4000. The definition role is arguably one of the worst roles in completions engineering at Gulfstream. It’s hard to describe how archaic it truly is. Many of the mechanical definers have been with Gulfstream for at least 20 years, and a handful are near retirement. So, when I started helping out as a mechanical definer after less than a year at the company, some of the issues with the role jumped out at me. This memo serves as a plea to management to make changes that will increase retention / simplify the role.
TO: Definition Manager FROM: Connor Skelly, Mechanical Definer DATE: September 11, 2022 SUBJECT: Steps to Increase Retention in Definition Roles The definition group is reaching a critical point. Many of the established definers are approaching retirement, while the newer definers are displeased with the role. Management must act now before the department is chronically understaffed. Changes can be made to reduce the entry barrier and simplify the role, drawing more engineers to the group and increasing the retention rate. This will ensure the definition group continues to have enough manpower. The improvements are as follows: 1. Increase the sales team’s buy-in 2. Create an initial build list generator 3. Improve change management tracking Not only will these changes improve employee morale, but they could also improve initial build list quality as well. Change 1: Increase the Sales Team’s Buy In The first course of action is to correlate with sales on their deliverables. Currently, the sales team provides the definition group with two documents: an 80-page specification (spec) and a 50-sheet interior detailed drawing (IDD). Neither of these can be considered engineering documents, leading to this role's first pain point. issue. A team of technical writers crafts the specifications. Although they strive for consistency across the specification drafting team, the human element inherently results in variability. To remedy this, the spec writers should come together and draft agreed-upon verbiage for standard features and custom features with high take rates. Once this is established, a simple check box tool can be created that contains all the agreed-upon wording for each spec section. This will make it much easier to compare specs and IDDs across different serial numbers, reducing the strain on definers and driving higher asset/install reuse. Change 2: Create an Initial Build List Generator Once the designer digests the spec and IDD, they must create the initial build list. The definer decides if existing assets/installs can be reused or if the layout requires a new task. In the new task requests, the definer also includes which asset/install would be the best starting point for the new asset/install. This entire process is the most overwhelming aspect of the role.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help