标准检查程序制约翰·史密斯在担任美国通用汽车公司部门主管时,每当他要批准一项大规模投资计划,都要向下属提出一个同样的问题:“你们是否经过标准检查程序?”其实他要问的是:你们有没有考察过其他公司如何建造类似的厂房、实施类似的计划?这种标准检查程序常常可以使工程投资大大降低。因此,当史密斯晋升为通用汽车公司的总裁时,他果断地在全公司范围内推广 When John Smith, the standard inspection procedure system, was the head of the U.S. General Motors Corporation, he would ask the subordinates the same question every time he wanted to approve a large-scale investment plan: “Do you pass the standard inspection process?” In fact, he wanted to ask: Have you ever looked at how other companies built similar plants and implemented similar plans? This kind of standard inspection procedure can often greatly reduce the investment in projects. So when Smith was promoted to president of General Motors, he decisively promoted the entire company.