Information in the manufacturing industry: an assessment and proposals for improvement

This paper supports the assertion that relevant and correct information, delivered when and where required and in a suitable format, is the major asset of the manufacturing industry—the basis for competitiveness. It contains a review of the role of information in reducing uncertainties associated with decision outcomes, with particular attention paid to information required to support engineering design decisions. It provides also a brief analysis of the current state of practice in this area and proposes a way of improving the supply of information.