Case | HBS Case Collection | 2002 (Revised from original 1992 version)

Process Control at Polaroid (A)

by H. Kent Bowen and Steven C. Wheelwright

Abstract

Describes the initial efforts at a film production plant to shift from a traditional QC inspection mentality to a worker-based process control mentality. Students can prepare SPC charts, propose actions needed, and combine steps into an overall action plan.

Keywords: Management Systems; Operations; Quality; Factories, Labs, and Plants; Business Processes; Change Management; Consumer Products Industry; Manufacturing Industry;

Citation:

Bowen, H. Kent, and Steven C. Wheelwright. "Process Control at Polaroid (A)." Harvard Business School Case 693-047, January 2002. (Revised from original November 1992 version.)