Pre-Assessment (Week 1-2)

Map all production processes end-to-end. Identify top 3 pain points with quantified costs. Assess IT infrastructure. Evaluate workforce digital readiness. A machinery parts manufacturer in 益阳 High-tech Zone found: 15% rework rate costing 240k/year, 8-day avg delivery delay causing 18% complaints, 72% inventory accuracy despite 2M RMB of stock.

Phase 1 Foundation (Month 1-3, 20-50k RMB)

Reliable WiFi coverage. Replace paper with tablet-based digital checklists. Barcode/QR labeling for jobs and materials. Andon lights or basic dashboards showing production status.

Phase 2 Core Systems (Month 4-9, 100-300k RMB)

Lightweight MES focused on top 3 pain points. Integrate with existing ERP. Implement quality data collection. Start equipment connectivity for critical machines.

Phase 3 Intelligence (Month 10-18, 100-500k RMB)

OEE dashboards, predictive quality alerts, energy optimization. Planning integration with ERP. Supply chain visibility extension. Continuous improvement digital suggestion system.

Key Success Factors

Executive sponsorship (CEO must champion). Start small prove value expand incrementally. Train extensively. Change management is 80% people/process, 20% technology.