The National Shipbuilding Research Program, 1990 Ship Production Symposium, Paper No. 2A-2: Task Definition as a Route to Effective Production of Modern Warships

Abstract : Construction of a modern warship can occupy a period of more than three years, during which time more than three million manhours may be expended, and it is necessary to control the acquisition, production and installation of some 250,000 items of material and equipment. To execute the process effectively requires an efficient means of planning and control, and this paper describes the approach to that task adopted by a United Kingdom shipyard. The concepts of Build Strategy, Work Packaging, Materials Definition, Process Engineering and Labour Cost Control, as related to the shipyard's organisation structure are explored. The paper describes the establishment and operation of a system of planning and control based on task definition.