Continuous process improvements and the use of quality control methodologies in the data item description process

Over the past few years, the DID process at Air Force Material Command previously Air Force Logistics Command prior to the June 1992 merger with Air Force Systems Command, at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio has undergone significant process improvements in an effort to reduce lead time and promote quality in the development of DIDs. Statistical Process Control methods were used to evaluate the individual steps in the existing DID process. A number of process changes were made, and a series of training-oriented guides geared toward promoting quality were distributed. These process improvements proved to be quite successful. The lead time to develop a DID went from 938 to 300 h, a 68% reduction. Additional steps are planned to further improve the DID process