Implementação e melhoria de um sistema de gestão de ideias em uma fábrica metal mecânica: um estudo de caso

Abstract

The idea management system, also known as suggestions system, is a process developed to collect and deal with ideas and it is a topic related to both continuous improvement and innovation. This study evaluates the idea management system implemented in a metal mechanic factory to collect ideas about quality and cost reduction from the factory employees. Therefore, the goal of the study is to answer the following question: how is it possible to improve the currently implemented model? After a study of the literature, influential factors of success were raised in each phase of an idea management system. In addition, as part of the case study, a quantitative analysis of the sent ideas was made and interviews were carried out with factory employees and with those responsible for the ideas evaluation for a qualitative analysis. After this, the current process implemented was compared with the influential factors of success suggested by the literature. As result, it was possible to raise problems in the current model and identify relevant practices that were not implemented in the company's program. Then, improvements were proposed to the model, such as greater focus on the program propagation and on trainings, assignment of responsibilities for direct leaders, reformulation of the form used for ideas submission and review of the ideas feedback process, among others.