In four months, the MRAP program increased production by a factor of five: from approximately 10 vehicles per day in August to 50 per day by year-end.
By December 2007, over 1,500 MRAP vehicles were delivered abroad as mandated. In mid-August of 2008, the program passed the 10,000 vehicle mark and the speed of production had accelerated up to 70 vehicles per day. Most significantly, tens of thousands of US military personnel were better protected from injuries and death.
The MRAP Lean Six Sigma Team was honored with a Joint Logistics Team Award. A deputy chief of operations credited the combined Accenture-client project team with “dynamic leadership and innovative skills. For each MRAP vehicle deployed, six warfighter’s lives were saved if they encountered an improvised explosive device. As a direct result, warfighters are alive today.”
In addition to accelerated production, the project team delivered lasting value in the following ways:
Complexity reduction: In-depth analysis helped leadership to improve alignment among mission-specific requirements.
Supply chain improvement. Contracts for suppliers have been adjusted to require weekly or daily shipments, thereby improving efficiency at reduced cost.
Change management: A robust infrastructure provided efficient management of engineering changes originating from multiple sources.
Accenture’s involvement provided the client with exposure to new methods of problem solving. Crew members were supported in their efforts to apply new skills and tools to strive for operational excellence. As a result, MRAP personnel gained strategic agility to continue dealing with production problems and driving toward high performance.