Linked Management Graphics For Production Control

Abstract

This paper describes the use of Linked Graphical Displays as a means of extending the information transfer capability of Management Graphics Systems in the context of Engineering Manufacturing. As the pace and complexity of manufacturing increases, management need faster and better methods of absorbing the information contained in the large Databases used to control production. In the system described a number of different graphical displays are created from the same large Database and accessed via a "Choice Processor" to give multiple views on the situation represented by that data. The simple effectiveness of computer produced graphics as a man/machine communication media is retained but the multiple access facility enables more complex issues to be revealed and cross checked by sequentially viewing and comparing different interpretation of Data. Examples of the Charting Techniques employed are described together with an explanation of how they are created and used.