Design and Implementation of Self-Directed Work Teams in a Pre-Erection Outfitting Department

Abstract : This paper discusses the suitability of work teams in a shipbuilding pre-erection outfitting area. Of special interest is NASSCO'S attempt at implementing work teams in their pre- election outfitting area, the On-Block Department. Although the On-Block work teams were disbanded, they could be implemented again provided the company is ready for them. Therefore, recommendations for a more effective design and implementation of work teams in the On-Block Department are given. A work team is a group of people who coordinate dependant tasks with one another in order to reach a collective goal. Common characteristics of work teams include: responsibility for completing a relatively whole task; members who possess a variety of skills relevant to the group task; empowerment to make such decisions as methods of work, task schedules, and assignment of members to different tasks; responsibility to control and improve their work process, and the acquisition of new training as necessary.