By playing the Manufacturing Game , a group board game developed by Winston Ledet, a Louisiana native and former Dupont employee. The game operates on the proven theory that eliminating process or manufacturing defects, will result in greatly reduced work orders, unplanned maintenance and overall cost. A group of 36 people take part from operations, maintenance, engineering and management. Most often, the participants play roles that are not their normal roles at work. Cross functional teams are developed to accomplish the goal of defect elimination.
Successful teams focus on implementing the easy items first.
Tracking performance is stressed in order to show everyone else that the program is working. According to Ledet, the game creates energy and an urge to participate as well as developing skills. All critical elements in a successful change program. The biggest gains are not in reduced maintenance cost but in the reduction of waste in the production of the plants products.