A Framework for Understanding Regional Manufacturing Ecosystems
Since America’s economic and national security relies upon a strong and resilient manufacturing ecosystem (See this 2021 Supply Chain Executive Order), understanding key component parts of that ecosystem is critical to employ the best interventions.
Based on prior work by the National Economic Council for the IMCP initiative, there are six key areas that all need to work well for manufacturing communities to thrive. We now call that set of key areas “The Big 6”.
A sustainable development framework means not only identifying smarter interventions that more predictably lead to more economic innovation and good jobs, but it includes doing so by advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental sustainability at the same time.
Many of AMCC’s systems leadership activities are and will continue to focus on and be communicated using these six areas within a sustainable development framework. An example of this sustainable development focus is AMCC’s work with NIST to develop a Manufacturing Community Ecosystem Metrics (MCEM) dashboard based on best-in-class publicly available data framed around these Big 6 key manufacturing areas.
Building Consensus around the Big 6 Components
The Big 6 are crucial areas for sustainable development in regional manufacturing communities. Each of the overlapping Big 6 areas have, based on the best available evidence, key sub-criteria that we intend to describe on this page as we identify them with AMCC partners. Here, we’ll share our discoveries, which will also shape the development of the MCEM Tool and Playbook.
Imagine a future where open-source data and proven strategies are readily available to stakeholders working within and/or across each of the Big 6 areas. This accumulating information will allow regional leaders to use increasingly accurate data and best practices to help their regions thrive.
For example, the MCEM project will aid stakeholders’ understanding of a region’s manufacturing infrastructure and site development (I&SD) capabilities and gaps, so that they may craft smarter interventions that their manufacturers need. By providing detailed case studies and best practices, we aim to enhance understanding of:
- How to access useful regional I&SD information and how to analyze it in the context of one or more of the six key manufacturing industries important in that region (defense, energy, transportations, ag, IT, health)
- How to assess and advance the efficacy of regional I&SD interventions that can advance the objectives of economic competitiveness, DEIA, environmental sustainability, and national security (i.e. the 4 elements of sustainable development).
Manufacturing Community Ecosystem Metrics Project Documents
Slides on Utah’s Pilot Project
Below is a recording of the January 26, 2022 discussion and list of attendees about the open source effort with NIST MEP, AMCC and many other public and private stakeholders to build a national open source MCEM tool.