An Examination of Productivity Impediments in the Navy Industrial Community

There is increasing concern over the decline in industrial productivity in the United States. The Navy shares this concern and is paying particular attention to productivity issues within its industrial community. The objectives of this effort were to identify impediments to productivity within the Navy's industrial community, to determine the source of these impediments, and, where possible, to provide recommendations for removing them. The study was conducted jointly with the Western Regional Office of Personnel Management(OPM). Five Navy Material Command (NAVMAT) field activities were selected as representatives of the major types of organizations in the Navy's industrial community. These include a shipyard, a weapons station, a supply center, a public works center, and an air rework facility. Impediments to productivity that were common to more than one activity were identified in such diverse areas as supply support, automated data processing equipment, erratic workloads, inadequate capital investment, micromanagement, military rotation, pay/position management, staffing, technical/managerial training, and employment restrictions. Impediments were also identified that were unique to a particular type of organization (e.g., propeller waivers for shipyards). Specific recommendations were provided, where possible, for removing or further assessing the impact of identified impediments. In addition to the changes required to remove specific impediments, results of the study indicated that there is a need to improve upward and lateral communication and to reduce excessive controls.