IDEF technologies were also used to generate a prototype database and the design for a bar-code based system for collecting shop floor status information. Overview of the PDM Cycle Programmed Depot Maintenance may be described as the 100,000-mile checkup on an aircraft. Each aircraft is scheduled for this maintenance service in addition to maintenance performed in the field. Planners take this work specification, transcribe it into work instructions for the mechanic, and assign resources needed to complete the work. Schedulers take these work instructions and assign times to perform the work.
Schedulers also release the work to the production floor.
Mechanics then perform the work and provide feedback to the engineers on what they found during maintenance. Engineers use this information to help design the next year's maintenance requirements. Planning is the process of defining work units for mechanics to perform on the maintenance floor. Process Analysis and Redesign KBSI provided training, consulting, and technical support to capture and improve the business processes of the center, completing nearly 70 process mapping efforts. Redesigning the center's processes with ProSim resulted in significant cost savings and process streamlining.