Raw

Subject: Reduce TTW composing costs through two targeted investigations

TTW’s composing costs may be reducible, but current evidence does not establish how much of the gap is caused by unnecessary quality checks versus low productivity. We should run two focused studies before making broader changes.

First, simplify the process for inexpensive titles.

- Test selected simple jobs with fewer or differently timed quality checks.
- Measure the effect on quality and customers.
- The potential saving is up to 10% of total composing cost.

Second, identify and remove productivity constraints.

- Conduct a methods study, since TTW trails the productivity benchmark by 20–50%.
- Examine whether changing the composing method can close that gap.
- Include the manual-composition capacity shortage, late jobs, overtime more than 50% above budget, and staffing pressure as constraints to address.

The studies should produce a fact-based decision on which changes reduce cost without harming quality or delivery.

Omitted from the recommendation: interviews with named individuals, proposed comparisons with three other printers, and the managers’ differing views on whether costs are high. These provide background but do not determine the required tests.

Top: TTW should investigate process simplification and productivity improvement to reduce composing costs without impairing quality or delivery.
  1. Simplify checks for inexpensive titles
     - Test fewer or differently timed checks on selected jobs.
     - Measure quality and customer effects.
     - Potential saving: up to 10% of total composing cost.
  2. Improve composing productivity
     - TTW trails the benchmark by 20–50%.
     - Conduct a methods study and change the composing method where warranted.
     - Address capacity, staffing, overtime, and late-job constraints.