Interviewer: Will, can you tell me what you’re doing?

Speaker 2: I’m just looking at the drawing that I’ve been given for a new press tool component that I’m producing on the lathe.

I’m looking at the operational sequence as this dictates the order in which the operation should be carried out.

But I must notice that the language says ‘then’, which means that’s the second part of the operation, and 'finally'.

So these must be done in the order they are put down on the sheet.

It’s important that I notice that in the 'Note' area that there is something that’s done ‘before’ surface grinding, so that’s quite important to relay back to the operational sequence.

And I’m also looking at the 'Finish', which means it’s the last operation that will be needed to be done to the job.

If I’m not to actually follow this operational sequence as I see it, there is the potential that it may not be machined to the drawing specification, which could produce problems when it is actually used on the tool.

Speaker 1: Hiya Will, I've got a meeting Monday morning about this job.

What are you working on and where are we with it?

Speaker 2: So I’ve just drilled the eight holes on the PCD.

We’re looking to get onto the next operation by about 10 o’clock this morning.

Speaker 1: OK. Out of all the parts what you’re working on, is that going to hold us up at all?

Speaker 2: Well I’m actually doing these parts as a batch so that should save time on the setups, so we might actually be ahead of schedule.

But the other operations, they may cost us a little bit more time – a little bit longer than expected, so we’ll see how that goes.

Speaker 1: So we should be OK for delivery then Monday?

Speaker 2: Yeah we should be.

We are currently, as I say, ahead of schedule, but some of the parts have got to be heat-treated.

Now, if there’s a delay with that process that could affect our delivery.

Speaker 1: OK. Can you just put that in an email please, and just confirm what you just said.

Speaker 2: Yeah, no problem, Mark.

Speaker 1: Thank you.

Speaker: I’m emailing Mark, my supervisor.

I’m giving him an update on the progress with the machine tool component.

He needs some specific details for a meeting that he’s got coming up.

I’m producing a summary of the key points of the production plan.

It’s important that I keep the length of this very short and to the point, just so that he gets what he’s looking for.

I’m using different headings for different, individual parts for the machine tool component, as each part has an effect on whether it’s going to be completed on time or whether there may be a delay.

I’m now letting Mark know that there are some other processes which have the potential to slow us down.

This is key information. He needs to know this because we do have a deadline for completion.