Predict future manufacturing trends.

Prediction should be based on an understanding of manufacturing's history and should include

  • materials
  • technology
  • energy sources
  • safety
  • transportation
  • communication
  • design
  • continuous improvement
  • management
  • employment.

Process/Skill Questions:

  • How can understanding an industry's past help predict its future?
  • What recent communication developments might lead to new trends in manufacturing?
  • How might the push toward cleaner energy influence manufacturing in the future?
  • What is change management? How do manufacturers address it?
  • What type of things are manufacturers doing to minimize waste?
  • How has the need for producing quality affected manufacturing?
  • How does the Internet of Things (IoT) affect manufacturing?