Posted by How Green Was My Labor: The Cost Impacts of Manufacturing Personnel Changes
From the Journal of Cost Analysis and Parametrics: Volume 10 | Issue 1 | October 2021
Downloadable File: JCAPv10i1-HowGreenWasMyLabor-Johnstone
Abstract: Estimators are frequently confronted with manufacturing personnel increases or decreases and asked to calculate shop performance impacts. However, existing learning curve literature offers little guidance how to do so. This paper identifies issues associated with both new hires (so-called “green labor”) and workforce reductions and offers an analytical format. Based on a study of a large workforce expansion on a mature aircraft program, a model to analyze future personnel changes is presented as well as example cases.
Author: Brent Johnstone is a Lockheed Martin Fellow and production air vehicle cost estimator at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, Texas. He has 33 years’ experience in the military aircraft industry, including 30 years as a cost estimator. He has worked on the F-16 program and has been most recently the lead Production Operations cost estimator for the F-35 program. He has a Master of Science from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin.