The 12 Principles of Manufacturing Excellence

Plant Manager’s Role • 169

ever goes exactly to plan. Forecasts of volume and mix aren’t perfect, and

neither is performance in the plant. Consequently, it is as important to rec-

ognize when you need to run up the ag to change the plan as it is to have a

plan to begin with. Whether the revision represents good news or bad news,

it’s important to initiate discussion about the need for a revised plan as soon

as possible. Keep in mind that until and unless the leadership team and the

board of directors have reforecasted the company’s performance to share-

holders, everyone is still committed to making the original earnings that

have been approved and externally communicated. Given the new circum-

stances, we simply have to nd a dierent path ...