STIMS Institute

STIMS Institute offers its vision of 21st Century Manufacturing.

In a recent CEO Forum organized by MGTL, Dr. K. (Subbu) Subramanian, President STIMS Institute Inc., offered his vision of the 21st Century Manufacturing and outlined the need for requisite work force skills to meet the emerging needs. This forum was held at Pune, India on Nov. 21, 2014. For a complete presentation, please see: Manufacturing in the 21st Century

Few excerpts:

“Manufacturing” is a collection of (a) physical processes enabled by a host of (b) information processes and aided by a collection of (c) pick and place and transfer processes, which at the moment are a combination of physical events and information events.
Core capability for any manufacturing: repetitive use of physical processes, to achieve or USE the “Product” at the required quantity, place and time to meet the end user needs.
Manufacturers have two options: (a) Steady improvement in the processes already deployed; The result is a constant reduction in the explicit knowledge and skill required with respect to the Physical Processes used. Over time, they have become the black boxes surrounded by a myriad of service processes, which are generic and practiced in all companies and industries. (b) Introduction of a stream of new solutions resulting in New Products, New Processes and New Applications/ USE. These new solutions are the result of intense knowledge of the physical processes unique to the manufacturing company.
Breakthrough – step change – solutions will be expected as a routine output of manufacturing professionals of the future. But, in order to sustain such improvements the process has to be managed as a whole – as a system. Constant tweaking or small changes in the system which disturbs the equilibrium of the process cannot be tolerated, if maximum impact is the desired outcome. This will require manufacturing professionals who are simultaneously good at process science as well as process economics, with expertise to integrate knowledge from all available sources.
We find two parallel chains operating across all manufacturing companies (i.e.) Supply Chain which deals with the information processes that interconnect the various tiers of manufacturers and Functional Value Chain, where the physical processes and their exploitation play a silent but foundational role across the manufacturers.
Since the products are enables by processes and the USE is also a process in a manner of speaking, we are left with “Process and its knowledge and the capability to manipulate any process” may be the primary core capability or skill set of future manufacturing professionals! The role of human labor and their employment in large numbers is not a critical need in this description of manufacturing. It is important for policy makers to make note of this subtle but significant point.
Work force skills required for 21st century manufacturing:

Manufacturing Processes	Traditional Sources of Knowledge	New Knowledge Required	Traditional Worker Skills	New Worker Skills Required
Physical Processes	Engineers and shop floor workers with technical training, trade skills and academic education.	· Process Science· Diagnostics· Data and Analysis· Sector specific know-how	Engineers with years of experience located close to the shop floor operations	· System Thinkers and Solution Providers Reliant on Process Science· Reliant on sensors, signals and their use.
Information Processes	Collection of tasks that evolved through the years	· IT· Data Base· Big data· Analytics	White Collar Workers with standard plug and play IT solutions	· System Thinkers· Solution Providers· Customized IT solutions
Pick and Place / Transfer Processes	Industrial work force through many years of training and hands on experience.	· CNC, Robotics and AGV· Drones	· Blue collar workers· Standard work and tasks· Physical effort and de-skilled operations.	· System Thinkers· Solution Providers· Comfortable in virtual control environment

Learn to swim against the tide of Binary Economy

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/thriving-in-the-21st-century-economy-k-subramanian/1115191210?ean=9780791860168

https://www.asme.org/products/books/thriving-21st-century-economy-transformational

It is an undeniable axiom of globalization: anyone in any job or profession has to be better than anyone else who can do the same job from a pool of workers across the globe. Conversely, those who can do a job in a similar manner to others around the globe will be rewarded for their effort at the lowest value at which the work can be procured from anyone else across the globe! Every worker will fall into one of these two extremes. Anyone in the middle will be ultimately swept to the low-labor-cost pool.
While there will be a natural tendency to be swept into the lower-wage pool, it will require a special effort to swim against the current to be associated with the limited few in the high-wage, high-reward pool. Swim against the stream and reach a high place (of New Solutions with identifiable impact) or be swept away into the global pool of low-cost resources (needed for Replication Solutions) is the true paradigm of globalization. There is little or no opportunity for treading water in this paradigm. This constant struggle to swim upstream and against the current is what is perceived as the volatility and uncertainty in the workplace. Suggestions such as higher education, higher SAT scores, and more grit and perseverance are all means to the same end. But as we have detailed in our book – see the links below – all of these have to be formatted toward identification, development, and exploitation of New Solutions using Transformational Skills as the means to this end.

http://ebooks.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/book.aspx?bookid=657

Do you know your “core” capability?

Are you the owner of a small or medium sized manufacturing company? Are you the head of a profit center or a Business Unit that is part of a company group? If you are, it is very likely that you are one of the business leaders, trying to find ways to keep your business above water. Some of you may be concerned about growing your bottom line and in rare occasions seeking ways to further grow your business. But, no matter what your needs are, it is certain that you are facing the stiff winds of global competition, cost pressures, challenges from outsourced operations and above all a sense of uncertainty about the future.

We believe that such pessimism and the sense of gloom and doom about manufacturing industries and their future is not warranted. It is true that there are stiff head winds and it is also true that the waters are turbulent. But, you are not up the creek, with out a paddle!

Have you ever sat back and asked yourself, “How did we (your business unit) get here?” No, I do not mean, how you got into a situation of stiff competition and low profit margins and high costs. These are all obvious and readily known to every one. But, have you figured out how your business or operation grew from its beginnings to where it is today? It did not happen by chance or by some luck or through magic! It happened because you and your people along with your suppliers and your customers contributed their share of knowledge and know-how that resulted in the products you manufacture, the processes you use to make them and also the applications know-how through which your customers use your products. The “Products. Processes and Applications knowhow” are your core capabilities. These core capabilities are embedded in the knowledge of many people connected with your company – through your employees, suppliers and customers and their customers.

You might say “It is indeed true that we did not grow out of thin air. We built our company, brick by brick though our products, manufacturing process capabilities and our know-how to help our customers use our products better. Then, whatever happened to my business or operation, over the years? Why are we struggling today with low profitability and shrinking margins and low to no growth?” One can ask such valid questions and wallow in misery or merely be nostalgic about the good old days for ever. Instead, you can muster the passion to dig deeper.

Your product is not any widget you put in your shipping box. It is not merely something you identify by a product number or a bar code. Product is something of value to some one (the user), who is willing to pay you (the manufacturer) something of value to you. Can you describe your “Product” using the above definition? Is there any one in your sales, product design/development, manufacturing/production, tech-support or general management who can describe your product in terms of the value to your customer and the expected value for you in return? Do you know who they are? Do they all have the same understanding of the user value and manufacture’s value or are they speaking over each other in different languages? Your journey for the future can start right here and now, by developing a common definition of your “Product” and developing a core team across the business functions that speaks the same language about your product.

How well do you know your Processes to manufacture your products? They are not “black box” that nobody knows anything about, after Joe Smith retires from the company! All processes in your manufacturing floor have well defined Inputs, which are converted into Outputs. All processes are “Input/Transformation/Output” system. No, we are not talking about Ph.D language. In the past years, few who knew about the process could tweak them and keep them going, while others were simply pairs of hands to help them out. We can not do that any more. All processes can be diagnosed (using proper sensors and IT tools for measurement), repaired, improved and in some cases changed dramatically. But, you can not do any of the above, if you think that the processes in your shop floor are merely “black box” put in place by some one who left the company years ago! Your journey for the future can start right here and now, by developing a common definition of the key “Processes” in your manufacturing floor and developing a system view of these processes across all the business functions that support such processes. You would not like to see any medical professional with out a stethoscope and a thermometer. Then, why would you not want all your manufacturing process professionals have similar capability to measure and diagnose and cure the problem with respect to your processes and their health?

How well do you know your customer’s processes (Application) and how you can add value in their processes through your products? If software is the enabler of all the growth and success in the IT industry, you can make your AT (Applications Technology) as the enabler for your growth and success in the manufacturing industry. AT helps you to build alliances with your suppliers and customers towards building solutions of shared benefits. If you have treated your process as a black box, it is likely that your customers have done the same with their processes. It is about time, you helped them to do a “health check up” on their processes, while they use your product. After all, strong and healthy customer process is essential for your long term strength and success.

Product, Process and Applications know-how are your core capabilities, which got you where you are today! They are the bench strength of your team. You can do more or less with them enabled by all the plug and play IT capabilities. But, you can not build a manufacturing industry with out the brick and mortar (i.e) Product, Process and Applications Technology. Have you taken the time to cultivate them? If not, may be it is time for you and the key personnel in your team to go through the “Core Capability Boot Camp”?

Jnana Yoga fromVedica Philosophy – a complement to the Socratic Mehod.

The word “Yoga” stands for the Union with the Self. It is a process for self-regulation of our Body (Physical Activities), Mind (Emotions) and Intellect (Thoughts and Ideas). Vedic Philosophy emphasizes disciplined action (Karma Yoga), faith in a larger cohesive order in the Universe (Bhakthi Yoga) and reflection and analysis through objectivity and non-attachment (Jnana Yoga). These three pathways for Yoga are interconnected.

We can also see Jnana Yoga as an elegant and logical compliment to the Socratic Method used for reasoning and analysis in all professional activities. This practice oriented approach for Jnana Yoga as a compliment to the Socratic Method are presented in the following slides!

The Misguided War on the SAT – Comments on NYT essay.

The essay The misguided war on the SAT, dated Jan. 7, 24 by Mr. David Leonhardt is a thoughtful and data rich essay on this topic. The essay, the contents and the debate strike a personal chord in my memory lanes!

Being an alumni of MIT, I am genuinely proud and grateful for their thoughtful probing on this matter of Standardized Test scores and their impact on diversity in their student population admitted, as well long term performance or success of students in their performance at college and subsequent career success. Life and success is more than just success in the UG studies, admission to Graduate School or working in a “Prestigious” firm! I hope MIT and other institutions will explore other factors such as good family life (long term relations); success in mentoring others (children, colleagues, fellow professionals) and social responsibility (service to the society, racial/gender cohesiveness) as well as interests in the larger interests of humanity and global issues! How are these factors related to performance in generalized tests such as SAT scores?

Born and brought up in a small village in Tamil Nadu state, India, I attended a local public elementary school and moved to a public countywide school (Board High School). Our education was entirely in Tamil, a local language (rich in history and literature). We were also exposed to English as a special language and to a minimum extent Sanskrit, another ancient and culturally rich language. Our assessment at the end of the final High School year was a common examination in all subjects (Language, Science, Mathematics, History, Geography, etc.). While students were graduated based on the individual’s score, the comparison was across all students in the District level (across several counties). I was ranked first in my school and second at the District level. There were no issues up to this point. Life was as smooth as it can be for a poor rural Indian boy!

Then I proceeded to a prestigious college in a city 12 miles away, which meant travel by train (and some walking) adding up to 3 plus hours of travel each day! But, the bigger shock was that all subjects now were taught in the English language! Without any in-depth preparation in the language, the expectation for learning all subjects in English overnight, was a rude awakening! Somehow all of us students, with similar backgrounds, plugged along. This one year course – called Pre-University Course – is a bridge before proceeding to seek admission for U.G. studies. At the end of this year, students took the prestigious IIT Entrance Examination, offered across India. This is closest to the equivalent of the SAT exam. in USA. The language for this entrance exam. was completely English! On top of that, the questions were entirely “gibberish” as seen by this totally unqualified student – myself – with little exposure to English, and absolutely no exposure to Urban values and issues and way of living as well as national or international matters. Nobody had to assess my test scores. I was certain when I left the examination hall that I had failed the IIT Entrance Examination. It was indeed the case!

Getting ahead in life is as much a matter of chance, as it is due to qualifications and preparations! As a combination of all these, I ended up at Osmania University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh one of the states in India. I proceeded to study my B.S. in Mech. Engg., being ranked second across the entire University (with several engineering colleges in their jurisdiction). Another set of chances, qualification and preparations resulted in my getting admitted to MIT. In those days students like me with limited knowledge and exposure, did not know that MIT was a prestigious institution, worth persevering for admission as much as possible! I could have easily gone to another place, but for a kind letter during the admission process from Prof. N.H. Cook from MIT (who later became my adviser). It was my father’s wise counsel to stay patient, being respectful to a professor’s letter. This guidance from my father was more from the principle of being respectful to teachers, the ancient wisdom from Eastern philosophy! It had nothing to do with the merits of MIT as an institution of great acclaim! I did exercise patience for two more weeks and in this time my admission to MIT was confirmed! My admission at that time did not require a GRE examination, the standardized test required for all students applying for Graduate Studies! I did not know the reason then, nor do I care to know it now! Past poor performance in the IIT Entrance Exam. or not taking GRE standardized exam., have not held me back in my jobs, career or life as a whole. I have been blessed with opportunities to collaborate with many across the globe including the IIT in India. My rural upbringing, exposure to the ancient wisdoms and culture have helped me to find meaning and purpose in every step as life has unfolded over the years. https://sipractce.com/ https://stimsinstitute.com/about/management-team/

There are many successful faculty at prestigious institutions like MIT, who are not necessarily graduates from the same institution or from similar well known institutions. Life and performance as a result of education is as much a matter of chance, as it is due to qualifications and preparations! The debate should not be whether or not SAT scores ( as well as GRE scores) are valid and needed. Instead, the approach should be to use SAT score as one of the measures for the admission process as it has been practiced all along. Then the admission officers should diligently explore the background of the outliers, especially those applicants with poor SAT scores, their background and circumstances and also their performance relative to their peer groups in their local settings?

Two questions for the millenials?

Following is a quote from “What Broke the American Dream for Millennials?”
Wages have cumulatively gone up more than prices since 2019, and that’s especially true for Millennials. Workers who are now between the ages of 29 and 38 saw wages go up an average of 14%, adjusted for inflation, since 2019, according to Center for American Progress’ Duke.
That’s a nice bump. But at the same time, Duke notes, those increases may not have sunk in psychologically for workers who also became parents in that time period.
Here are our views on the problems:

First, the “American Dream” is being shattered thanks to our media and the way they report the news. Read carefully the above two paragraphs. The first paragraph suggests a true income growth after adjustment for inflation! That is marvelous, worth celebrating. But, the second paragraph beats down and sours that optimism! It is real life. But, there is an inconsistency in the data used for comparison – first is the case of parents with no child and the second is the case of a family celebrating the joy of having a child in their midst. While it is indeed worth celebrating the child and the joys that come with it, the parents should ask:
What choices they have made or choices they will make in the coming elections, to elect leaders in every position that can sustain and improve their lives?
What skill set has this couple gained since 2019, to remain competitive and gain more capability to command higher wages and benefits?

“Being a parent in America is very expensive,” he said. Maybe you get a raise and a promotion in your late 20s or early 30s, but the cost of child care more than offsets it. “A strong economy isn’t necessarily going to provide parental leave or affordable housing,” Duke says. “Those are investments that we as a society have to fight for.” Rachael and Garrett feel that pain acutely. Pricing out the cost of daycare for Miles was a reality check that quickly altered their timeline for a second child. “We’d love to have kids back to back,” Rachael says. “I’d love for him to have a partner in crime, but we can’t afford to give him [a sibling] for at least four years.”
It is absolutely true that a strong economy isn’t necessarily going to increase your wages and the convenience one can afford such as better child care, parental leave and affordable housing. They will be the result of two things:
1. Self reliance to constantly improve one’s skills to be seen as a value added worker every day and in every opportunity. These are the System Thinkers and Solution Providers, much needed today.
2. Think on behalf of others, as much as we think of one’s own family and its economics and getting more children. This broader perspective of life and how we contribute to it, is Emotional Intelligence (EI). Such EI should drive every millennial to the polls for the primaries and in the November elections. Electing leaders in every position of governance that will address and serve the needs of millenials, is the best way to get the needed basic resources and equitable sharing of prosperity in a Democracy!
Electing leaders lacking in moral strength, willing to cheat at all cost and use the court system and “constitution” as their fig leaf, and remain silent partners in the name of mythical party loyalty is a sure way to further break the dream of the millenials and for the generations to follow.

The final question is this:
Are the millennials who are doing well and also those who feel the legitimate doom and gloom (further perpetuated and amplified by the media) ready to address and answer the above two questions?

Another review of Spirituality In Practice

Post by Eric DUSHIMIRIMANA » 13 Dec 2023, 10:15
Following is a volunteer review of “Spirituality In Practice” by Dr. Krishnamoorthy (Subbu) Subramanian
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BV4GC7LY

This book, by Dr. Krishnamoorthy (Subbu) Subramanian, can thrust humanity into a world of harmonious and prosperous existence. The author extensively draws on the ancient Vedic teachings; nevertheless, the teachings are beneficial for every seeker of truth embarking on the spiritual journey. The book teaches us how to live harmoniously with ourselves and our surroundings. (And it is hard to know how to live. Leonard da Vinci reportedly said, “What I thought I was learning how to live, I was learning how to die.”) The book explores vital matters: “Morality is Paper Thin,” Pressure vs. Stress vs. Relief,” “Ignorance vs. Denied Knowledge,” “Leadership through Spirituality in Practice,” “Aspects of Help,” The “Non-violence” concept, the “Selfishness” moral dilemma, “How Large is Your Family?,” “Burden of Relationship,” “Frameworks for Good Choices,” “Emotional and Objective Reasoning,” science, religion, and philosophy, “Is God With You?”, “Knowledge, Happiness, and Food Habits,” “Who Is a Spiritual Person?”, “Sources of Anger,” “Who Sets Standards for Your Life?”, “Many Facets of Silence,” “Anatomy of Experience,” “Who Am I?”, “Sources of Biases,” the education process, and the “Knowledge Economy” equation.

The book offers us invaluable practical wisdom and knowledge. In particular, the leadership model—”Knowledge and Power as Two Dimensions of Leadership”—is more practically sound. According to the book, “a leader without knowledge and power is timid and not respected…. A true leader combines power with knowledge, enabling others to act independently.” The book also sets a high-bar standard definition of non-violence. “Non-violence… [is] not merely avoiding injury to animals… Instead, non-violence [implies] non-violence of any kind in thought, actions, desires, and intents. The book can help us earn front-row seats in Nirvana.

However, like other books on spiritual matters, the book contains “holy” mysteries. The book suggests that science, religion, and philosophy are equally reliably valid sources of knowledge about nature. Philosophy and religion describe nature in qualitative terms. It would be hazardous to settle with qualitative knowledge in this universe (that does not love or hate us). The book also advocates a “Total Self-Control” mode of living. The Buddha recommends the middle way…. We are part of entangled Brahman-enabled microcosms under the influence of cosmic events at infinite points in spacetime, and things in our universe are connected. Our power to control ourselves is limited. A lover of humanity would not hand the next generations the “Total Self-Control” goal. A reader reading this book could ask: Why should one do meditation or yoga holding their body this way—and not that way? This book would have to accommodate ample scientific knowledge on the mind-body matter to satisfy the curiosity of such a reader. While the book may teach us how to go to Nirvana, it does not teach us how Nirvana goes or why it goes the way it does, as Galilei Galileo would say.

The book deserves four out of five stars. I deducted a star mainly because of the negatives mentioned above. Nevertheless, I highly recommend the book to every seeker of truth. The book can be a helpful moral compass.

Comment from the author (Dr. Krishnamoorthy (Subbu) Subramanian:
“science, religion, and philosophy are equally reliable and valid sources of knowledge about nature” does not imply that science, religion and philosophy are equal and interchangeable. Like the various tools of science – Physics, Chemistry, mathematics, etc. – three three avenues (Science, Religion and Philosophy) offer different pathways to explore nature. Just as all rivers find their way to flow into the ocean, all disciplines or pathways lead us to the common knowledge of one indivisible, omnipresent, eternal nature, collectively identified as Brahman in Vedic Philosophy!

Latest Review of Spirituality In Practice

[Following is a volunteer review of “Spirituality In Practice” by Dr. Krishnamoorthy (Subbu) Subramanian.]

https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=114&t=403574

Book Cover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BV49NPNQ

One of the nicest books I’ve read in a while is this one; it offers helpful advice on building a spiritual life as well as excellent information about Indian philosophy and spirituality.
Modern perspective on age-old knowledge.

The most fundamental issues of how the world functions, why we exist, and who we are have long been pursued by the human race. Usually, the responses and explanations grow increasingly esoteric and nonsensical. This book is a tremendous effort to humanize the subject and make it applicable to our everyday lives. Spirituality in Practice, as the book is well named, was a pleasure to read for all these reasons like, It provides useful guidance on how to address the different circumstances we encounter by applying universally applicable fundamental ideas, be they related to spirituality, science, or society at large.Further, The book’s schematics and images serve as an excellent visual aid and distillation of numerous themes. I frequently use these as a quick reference. The examples used to draw attention to the different ideas are quite plausible. The author sheds light on this information through anecdotes and personal experiences.

Through these 76 essays, the author applies his expertise as a scientist and engineer to break these concepts down into a methodical methodology that we can all learn from and live by. Anyone who wants to comprehend old Indian philosophy and wisdom from a modern standpoint should definitely read this book, in my opinion.

At the end I would love to say, it is a wonderful collection of writings that provide a clear understanding of spirituality.However, because it lacks professional skill in certain areas, I am giving it a 4 out of 5.