Raw

**Situation** – Composition is TTW’s largest production cost (≈ 40 % of hard‑back and 50‑55 % of paperback), and TTW is uncompetitive on simple titles.  
**Complication** – Benchmarks show TTW’s composing productivity 20‑50 % below peers; overtime exceeds budget by > 50 % and staffing shortages limit capacity.  
**Question** – How can TTW lower its composing costs?  

**Answer** – TTW should pilot a simplified composition process for inexpensive titles and launch a methods study to improve productivity, targeting up to a 10 % reduction in composing costs.  

**Key actions**  

1. **Pilot test a simplified process**  
   - Choose a representative sample of inexpensive titles.  
   - Reduce or re‑time quality‑control checks.  
   - Measure impact on quality, customer satisfaction, and cost.  
   - Expected saving: up to 10 % of composing cost.  

2. **Methods study for productivity gains**  
   - Map the current manual composition workflow.  
   - Identify bottlenecks and low‑productivity steps.  
   - Benchmark against industry best practices (20‑50 % productivity gap).  
   - Develop recommendations for tool or process changes.  

3. **Benchmarking for context**  
   - Compare TTW’s composing cost structure with three peer printers.  
   - Use findings to validate cost‑reduction targets.  
   - Note: a simple cost comparison alone will not resolve all issues.  

**Omitted material** – Detailed staffing shortages, overtime budget overrun, union claim, narrative of department overload, and the statement that managers disagree about cost levels (these do not directly support the recommended actions).