Patent ID: 6901372

Claim:
A method for developing and performing a manufacturing project comprising the steps of: providing a communication mechanism for a plurality of users associated with the manufacturing project to efficiently communicate with each other; providing a plurality of electronic concept proposal worksheet files, wherein each of the plurality of electronic concept worksheet proposal files defines a selected concept proposal, and wherein each of the concept proposals formed initially from a non-implemented preliminary concept used to develop at least one of a manufacturing technology, a process and a methodology; selectively communicating the plurality of electronic concept worksheet proposal files to a plurality of users of the communication mechanism; modifying the electronic concept worksheet proposal files; entering the modified electronic concept worksheet proposal files into a proposal database; using the proposal database to generate at least one complete project proposal; performing a manufacturing concept ready procedure, effective to verify that said certain technology is capable of manufacturing said desired product under simulated conditions; performing a manufacturing implementation procedure, effective to verify that said certain technology is functionally sound and meets certain quality and cost criteria; developing a replication plan wherein the replication plan comprises the substeps of identifying a plurality of replication sites, developing a replication plan using the identified replication sites, establishing a replication team consisting of key technology developers and representatives from each of the replication sites, said replication team being led by an appropriate operating activity within an advanced manufacturing technology development (AMTD) department, wherein a plurality of AMTD departments roles and responsibilities are defined on a case by case basis, reviewing pilot application with potential replication customers, developing a generic non-site specific workplan, revising the generic non-site specific workplan to include unique requirements for each replication site wherein said unique requirements for each replication site are selected from projected intellectual property rights and regulatory requirements, estimating human resources and skills required to replicate technology, developing directional estimates of other resources required for replication, and agreeing on roles and responsibilities between operations and manufacturing departments including project closure requirements; prioritizing replication sites in accordance with a confirmed replication plan; and performing a replication procedure in accordance with the confirmed replication plan.