TOP was instituted during 1999 – 2000 when the company wanted to focus on improving availability, quality and thruput. Various TOP teams were formed and a TOP Center was created at TCIL with the help of Tata Steel and McKinsey & Co.

The top process has three phases: Phase - I being the Target Setting, Phase - II being Idea Generation and Evaluation and Phase - III being the Implementation Planning. Each phase has a time - bound schedule and is strictly adhered to. At the end of each phase, a presentation is made to the MD and other Senior Executives of the Company, and is reviewed in detail by them. A lot of focus is given on correct evaluation of each idea and the savings yield and a very realistic schedule of implementation is drawn up by the top team with a complete agreement and syndication with various line managers. Thus the process not only involves the Top Team, but it involves each and everyone concerned directly or indirectly with the unit.

This makes this programme highly success-oriented. That is how it differs from various other improvement programmes. The Wave is the time - frame within which one or more Units are taken. The first Wave of TOP at TCIL was launched with 6 Hi as the only unit This unit began its operation on 15th of December, 1999 and ended on 13th March, 2000. The second Wave was launched on 13th March, 2000 with ETP and Annealing as two units. This wave was concluded on 14th June, 2000 with the presentation of the final Implementation Plan. TCIL has already launched the third Wave with other important units such as Degreasing, Roll Grinding Shop and CPL. We are sure that with such dedicated and optimistic approach, the TOP units will yield a great saving to the Company as projected by them.

TOP Process

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