Today, electronic work instructions soft- ware is instrumental to the shop floor. And market leaders are investing in the integra- tion of electronic work instructions (EWIs) with 3D visualization and simulation soft- ware, so operators aren’t just following along with instructions, they’re able to view animations of each step and sometimes even improve things right on the spot. Here’s what you need to know about the past, present, and future of electronic work instructions in manufacturing opera- tions management, as well as discuss eight ways they’re transforming the shop floor. From paper-based to next-generation It’s vital that you have clear and repeatable instructions for every manu- facturing process. Traditionally, shop- floor workers would hang laminated pieces of paper on the wall with dia- grams and explanations of each step. The shortcomings of this are obvious, particularly when an engineering change order (ECO) was required and those changes needed to be sent to engineer- ing, revamped, sent back to manufactur- ing, reprinted, relaminated, and so on. If we’re talking about a global operation, this becomes even more of a challenge. The more complex something you’re building is, generally the more com- plex those instructions have to be, and a paper-based approach can be limiting. But computer technology on the shop floor wasn’t always as easily accessible and widespread as it is today. Since document control software has become widely adopted, however, EWIs have made their way into the manufactur- ing environment. EWIs have improved the way supervisors and operators build products, and the way they interact with engineers and maintenance personnel. The technology enables a centralized, standardized, and automated document management system, and can be found on most modern manufacturing shop floors. In addition to improving communica- tion and collaboration on the shop floor, streamlining EWIs mitigates many of the traditional risks associated with changing a work order. In the past, an engineering change may have been ordered, but never completed or at least never communi- cated to the appropriate personnel once completed. With automated workflows, notifications can be triggered to ensure the process is completed and the appro- priate personnel are notified. Workflows can also ensure that the right instructions are being followed on time and in the context of the manufacturing process. As the use of simulation and 3D visual- ization software becomes more prevalent, moving from engineering onto the shop floor, EWIs are becoming an even more effective tool. By integrating EWIs with this technology, an operator can watch each step of a process played out via animations. In some cases, operators and supervisors are trained to actually make changes and improvements to these processes in real time rather than waiting for an ECO. With the continuous advancement of technology, ...

1. Today, electronic work instructions soft-
ware is instrumental to the shop floor. And
market leaders are investing in the integra-
tion of electronic work instructions (EWIs)
with 3D visualization and simulation soft-
ware, so operators aren’t just following
along with instructions, they’re able to view
animations of each step and sometimes even
improve things right on the spot.
Here’s what you need to know about
the past, present, and future of electronic
work instructions in manufacturing opera-
tions management, as well as discuss eight
ways they’re transforming the shop floor.
From paper-based to next-generation
It’s vital that you have clear and
repeatable instructions for every manu-
facturing process. Traditionally, shop-
floor workers would hang laminated
pieces of paper on the wall with dia-
grams and explanations of each step.
The shortcomings of this are obvious,
particularly when an engineering change
order (ECO) was required and those
changes needed to be sent to engineer-
ing, revamped, sent back to manufactur-
ing, reprinted, relaminated, and so on. If
we’re talking about a global operation,

2. this becomes even more of a challenge.
The more complex something you’re
building is, generally the more com-
plex those instructions have to be, and
a paper-based approach can be limiting.
But computer technology on the shop
floor wasn’t always as easily accessible
and widespread as it is today.
Since document control software has
become widely adopted, however, EWIs
have made their way into the manufactur-
ing environment. EWIs have improved
the way supervisors and operators build
products, and the way they interact with
engineers and maintenance personnel.
The technology enables a centralized,
standardized, and automated document
management system, and can be found on
most modern manufacturing shop floors.
In addition to improving communica-
tion and collaboration on the shop floor,
streamlining EWIs mitigates many of the
traditional risks associated with changing
a work order. In the past, an engineering
change may have been ordered, but never
completed or at least never communi-
cated to the appropriate personnel once
completed. With automated workflows,
notifications can be triggered to ensure
the process is completed and the appro-
priate personnel are notified. Workflows
can also ensure that the right instructions

3. are being followed on time and in the
context of the manufacturing process.
As the use of simulation and 3D visual-
ization software becomes more prevalent,
moving from engineering onto the shop
floor, EWIs are becoming an even more
effective tool. By integrating EWIs with
this technology, an operator can watch each
step of a process played out via animations.
In some cases, operators and supervisors
are trained to actually make changes and
improvements to these processes in real
time rather than waiting for an ECO.
With the continuous advancement
of technology, we expect to see further
integration between plant and process
design, 3D visualization, simulation soft-
ware, workflow software, manufacturing
execution systems, and electronic work
instruction software.
The role of EWIs
Increasingly, modern manufacturing
operations management (MOM) plat-
forms offer EWIs as an application within
a broader portfolio of applications that
integrate via the same software platform.
INfOCUS
8 ways electronic work instructions
are transforming the shop floor
By Mike Roberts, LNS Research

4. PLE1311_INFOCUS_V5msFINAL.indd 16 11/14/13 10:50
AM
Standardization on the MOM platform
facilitates the sharing of information and
workflows, and is often a driver of great-
er collaboration capabilities in globally
distributed manufacturing environments
and even between functional units.
Eight benefits of EWIs
Moving from paper-based work
instructions to EWIs, there are many
benefits. When accounting for the
centralization, standardization, and
automation capabilities offered by
today’s MOM software platforms, those
benefits increase dramatically. Below are
eight ways EWIs are improving shop-floor
operations and making manufacturers
more effective:
1. Reduced downtime: Because com-
munication is easier with an electronic
routing and delivery system, less time is
required to take maintenance actions or
make engineering change orders.
2. Stronger communication: A cen-
tralized document management system
enables greater ability to share docu-
ments within the manufacturing envi-
ronment, across facilities, and between

5. functional units. Stronger communica-
tion creates fewer errors.
3. Closed-loop manufacturing and
quality processes: With a centralized
platform, EWI/ECO content and data
can be more easily shared with correc-
tive and preventive action management
and audit management processes.
4. Closed-loop manufacturing and
engineering processes: With a central-
ized platform, EWI/ECO content and data
can be more easily shared with the failure
more and effects analysis processes.
5. Reduced waste/scrap: The ability
to communicate and collaborate with
engineering more effectively helps to
improve first-time quality and reduce
waste in the manufacturing environment.
6. Easier communication of regula-
tory changes: Because many industries
face dynamic regulatory environments,
EWIs help to quickly communicate
changes required for shop-floor processes
and validate that personnel have been
made aware of and are following them.
7. Faster new product introduction
process: Streamlining communication
and collaboration between manufacturing
and engineering reduces the time required
to develop, test, and build new products.

6. 8. Reduced risk and improved effi-
ciency: With automatic notifications
triggered for both shop-floor and engi-
neering workers, the likelihood of a
non-conformance or compliance issue
is much lower. PE
Mike Roberts is a research associate
at LNS Research.
As part of the 2014 Global Auto-mation & Manufacturing
Summit, Control Engineering and Plant
Engineering are looking for manufactur-
ers who want to share their success
stories with a global manufacturing audi-
ence. They are issuing a Call for Pre-
sentations for the 2014 Summit.
Control Engineering and Plant Engi-
neering, in partnership with Hannover
Fairs USA, will present the 2014 Global
Automation & Manufacturing Summit on
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, at the Industrial
Automation North America Show, part of
IMTS 2014 in Chicago.
Building off the success of the inau-
gural 2012 event, the 2014 Global
Automation & Manufacturing Summit
will feature success stories from man-
ufacturing around the country.
Submissions for presentation can
include Word documents, videos, Power-
Point presentations and any other con-

7. tent you think will be helpful in evaluat-
ing your plant for inclusion in the 2014
Summit.
Go to www.plantengineering.com/
summit for the form to submit to your
proposal today. Proposal submissions
are due by Dec. 20, 2013.
Tell your plant’s success story at 2014 event
PLE1311_INFOCUS_V5msFINAL.indd 17 11/14/13 10:50
AM
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Questions
Write a 200- to 300-word short-answer response to the
following:
(Please provide reference for the answers, when possible)
-515-
1. "Optimizing Database Design" Please respond to the
following:
Many legacy systems require normalization. Identify at least
two factors that should be considered in order to produce an
optimal normalized set of tables when performing

8. normalization. Include in your discussion a detailed example on
how each factor would eliminate data redundancy.
Optimal database design recognizes proper organization of table
structures and relationships. Suggest at least two methods that
can be used to improve the design of a database system.
(Make sure to provide examples with your responses. These
examples should demonstrate and support your response.)
2. "Denormalization Functionality" Please respond to the
following:
Having an adequate data model to serve specific business needs
of an organization is important. Evaluate the need for
denormalization within an organization. Provide at least three
examples that prove denormalization is useful to data
consumers.
Using a data-modeling checklist can help database developers
design efficient data repositories. Suggest at least two possible
scenarios that could take place if one of the steps in the data-
modeling checklist (table 6.7 in Chapter 6 of the textbook) is
missed.
(Identify a situation/situatins where denormalization is useful
and then provide three examples to support your identification
of the situation.)
3. "Relational Set Operators" Please respond to the following:
A relational Database Model allows database users to analyze
data thoroughly. To accomplish this, advanced commands such
as UNION and INTERSECT may be used. Describe a business
scenario where a UNION relational set operator may be used to
merge two similar data sets. Within the context of your business

9. scenario, analyze the analysis and data consistency advantages
of using a UNION operator rather than simply merging two data
sets into one result table.
Suppose you are tasked with finding common data elements
amongst various data sets. Specify how an INTERSECT
operator may assist you in accomplishing this task. Construct a
query that can perform the same function as the INTERSECT
operator without using the “INTERSECT” syntax within the
query. Note: An Oracle Server may be used to test and compile
the SQL Queries developed.
4. "Advanced SQL and PL / SQL" Please respond to the
following:
Extracting and interpreting data can be very valuable to an
organization. Describe the importance of using sub queries in a
database system. Provide at least two business case scenarios to
support your response.
A good IT professional is able to be versatile in SQL
programming styles. Identify at least two possible advantages of
utilizing PL / SQL instead of standard SQL Syntax. Explain
whether either syntax provides enhanced code processing
capabilities with examples. Note: The Strayer Oracle Server
may be used to test and compile the SQL Queries developed.
5. "Planning the DBLC" Please respond to the following:
The development of a database requires thorough methodology
that ensures quality within the solution. Imagine you have been
contracted to develop a finance database that will help an
organization track monthly expenditures by departments. Using
the DBLC, discuss the various activities that you would have to
achieve each phase. Assess possible challenges that may exist
within each phase. Suggest actions that one can perform in

10. order to overcome these possible challenges.
In order to mitigate risks associated with a database, it is
essential to consider common sources of database failures.
Describe at least two possible database failures that may occur
once a database is placed into operation. Suggest actions that
may be performed in order to avoid or mitigate these possible
failures.
6. "Logical and Physical Design" Please respond to the
following:
In order to ensure optimal database performance, the logical and
physical design should consider the user requirements
thoroughly. Suppose you have been hired to transform a
conceptual model into a logical model for a sales database.
Describe the specific steps that you must perform in order to
appropriately construct the database model. For each step
mentioned, speculate the risks that would take place and how
you would avoid or mitigate those risks.
Suggest at least three activities that are required in the physical
design process of a database to ensure adequate physical storage
and data access. Analyze why user, security groups, and role
definitions are essential to maintain the integrity of the
database.
-517-
7. "Scope Creep" Please respond to the following:
Describe a previous project in which you were involved, where
scope creep occurred. Explain why it occurred and at least one
(1) way it could have been prevented.

11. 8. "Dependencies" Please respond to the following:
Suggest at least three (3) potential challenges of controlling the
project schedule when outsourcing critical tasks. Suggest the
manner in which you could mitigate such challenges.
9. "Cost Estimation in Software Development Projects" Please
respond to the following:
Predict the challenges of cost estimation for software
development projects where requirements are usually not clear
in early stages of the project. Argue whether or not the fluidity
of requirements introduced by agile methodologies contributes
to such challenges.
-518-
10. "Prototyping" Please respond to the following:
Give an example of a software system for which developing a
prototype would result in saving a significant amount of
development time. Explain why the prototype will save
development time in this case.
Give a different example of a software system for which
developing a prototype would not result in saving a significant
amount of development time. Explain why the prototype will
not save development time.
11. "Architectural Styles" Please respond to the following:
Analyze two architectural styles of your choosing and, for each,
give an example of a real-world application whose software
design would benefit by incorporating your chosen style. Justify

12. your response.
Evaluate the driving factors or conditions that affect the
selection of an architectural style for a given open-source
software application. Provide two examples of these conditions
and how they help determine an application’s architectural
style.
12. "Object-Oriented Software Design for Everything?" Please
respond to the following:
From the e-Activity (Unified Modeling Language Website.),
take a position on whether or not an object-oriented approach
can be used to develop any type of system. Provide two
examples that support your position.
Explain how Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams can
be linked to and implemented by an object-oriented
programming language such as C# or Java. Provide at least
three examples to support your response.
13. "Design Patterns" Please respond to the following:
From the e-Activity (Unified Modeling Language Website.),
using UML and text, identify a creational design pattern and
describe a situation where it could be applied. Provide a
justification as to why it should be used over other creational
design patterns that are available.
Using UML and text, identify a behavioral design pattern and
describe a situation where it could be applied. Provide a
justification as to why it should be used over other behavioral
design patterns that are available.
14. "Data Structures" Please respond to the following:
Imagine you are asked to write a program to print out a yearly

13. calendar. In this program, the user enters the year desired, and
the output is a calendar for that year. Determine how the
representation of internal data will affect the way in which the
program is written.
Produce two examples of data structures that might be used in
the scenario above. (Hint: Are your data structures cumulative
or not? How is a leap year handled?)
15. "Generating Test Cases" Please respond to the following:
From the e-Activity:” (Use the Internet to research the various
methods used to generate test cases in a software development
project. Take note of how these methods are used to identify
and perform path testing. Be prepared to discuss.)”, identify at
least two methods used to generate test cases in software
development, and explain how they are used to identify and
perform the path testing.
Take a position on whether or not the structure of a program can
reduce the number of test cases. Provide a specific example to
support your answer.
-555-
16. "Goal Types and Categories" Please respond to the
following:
Compare and contrast behavioral goal and soft goals. Provide
four examples to support your points.

14. Propose five functional goals and five non-functional goals.
Propose how you would determine if a goal should be classified
under the functional category or the non-functional category.
17. "Goal Model Building" Please respond to the following:
Suppose that you are building a goal model of a system you are
designing. Identify/propose the best three best practices for
selecting one or more of the fifteen heuristic rules that apply to
the building of a goal model?
From the e-Activity
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGgLYXY9yhE.),
determine if you can you easily depict these AND/OR nodes on
a goal diagram. Predict three challenges you foresee in using a
graph-based diagram to model goals.
18. "Obstacle Categories and Prevention" Please respond to the
following:
Suppose that you are performing an obstacle analysis of the
software that you developed for the self-parking car discussed
previously. Determine which of the following obstacle
categories you would apply during the analysis: hazard
obstacles, threat obstacles, dissatisfaction obstacles,
misinformation obstacles, inaccuracy obstacles, and usability
obstacles. Defend the selected category that you selected with
two examples.
The alternative techniques for obstacle prevention are goal
weakening, obstacle reduction, goal restoration, obstacle
mitigation, and doing nothing. Examine the alternative
techniques and select the one that you would use for obstacle
presentation. Defend your selection.
19. "Obstacle Diagrams and Obstacle Identification" Please

15. respond to the following:
From the e-Activity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h-
xBIkiY_w.), determine any similarities or dissimilarities
between the goal model diagrams and obstacles diagrams.
Provide one example of when you would use the tautology-
based refinement technique. One example of when you would
use the obstructed target technique. Defend why you chose to
use each technique in the examples that you did.
20. "Conceptual and Object Models" Please respond to the
following:
Provide one example of an entity object, association object,
agent object, and an event object. Determine which one of these
object types closely resembles or mirrors a conceptual object
model. Provide a rationale.
From the e-Activity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?), examine
the key features of a class diagram. Predict whether you would
be able to examine a class diagram and point out entities,
associations, attributes, and operations. Determine how you
would be able to tell them apart.
21. "Building Models" Please respond to the following:
Suppose you were building an object model for an online
banking system. Determine which of the 14 heuristics for
building models you would use to build the banking system.
Provide a rationale.

16. Blackboard is a Web-based learning management system used
by Universities for instructions, online interaction, and for
educational assessment. Provide three examples of composite
objects that are used in Blackboard. Explain why you believe
they are composite objects.