T&C – Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions (T&C) refer to the legal agreements between a company and its customers or clients that outline the rules, obligations, and requirements of using the company’s products or services. T&C govern aspects such as payment, delivery, warranties, and dispute resolution, ensuring clarity and legal protection for both parties.
TA – Type Approval
Type Approval (TA) in the automotive industry refers to the certification process by which a vehicle, or one of its components, is tested and confirmed to meet specific regulatory standards for safety, emissions, and performance before it can be sold in a particular market.
TA – Traffic Advisory
Traffic Advisory (TA) is an alert provided by the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) in aircraft. It warns pilots of nearby air traffic that could pose a collision risk, prompting them to take cautionary measures without immediately changing course or altitude.
TAA – Terminal Arrival Altitude
Terminal Arrival Altitude (TAA) is the designated minimum altitude an aircraft must maintain as it approaches an airport terminal area. It ensures sufficient clearance from obstacles while guiding the aircraft safely into the landing phase.
TAA – Terminal Arrival Area
Terminal Arrival Area (TAA) refers to a segment of airspace in which arriving aircraft are routed toward an airport’s terminal for landing. The TAA helps organize inbound air traffic, ensuring that aircraft follow safe, predetermined flight paths during the approach.
TAAM – Type Approval Authorities Meeting
Type Approval Authorities Meeting (TAAM) is an international forum where regulatory authorities and experts from different countries meet to discuss harmonization of type approval regulations. The goal is to ensure consistent standards and practices in certifying automotive products across different regions.
TAC – Type Approval Certificate
Type Approval Certificate (TAC) is an official document issued by regulatory authorities that certifies that a vehicle or its components meet the required technical and safety standards. This certificate is necessary for legal sale and use of the vehicle or component in specific markets.
TAC – Thrust Asymmetry Compensation
Thrust Asymmetry Compensation (TAC) is a system in aircraft that automatically adjusts the control surfaces to compensate for differences in engine thrust. This ensures stable and safe flight, particularly in situations where one engine has failed or is producing less power.
TACAN – Tactical Air Navigation
Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) is a military navigation system that provides aircraft with bearing and distance information to a ground or ship-based station. TACAN is similar to VOR/DME systems used in civilian aviation but offers more precise positioning and is designed for military use.
Tach Tachometer
Tachometer (Tach) is an instrument used to measure the rotational speed of an aircraft’s engine or propeller, usually displayed in revolutions per minute (RPM). Tachometers are crucial for monitoring engine performance and ensuring that the engine operates within safe limits.
Tact Time
Tact Time in lean manufacturing refers to the rate at which products must be produced to meet customer demand. It is calculated by dividing the available production time by the customer demand, ensuring that production processes are aligned with market requirements.
The term Takt comes from the German word for pulse or beat, similar to the rhythmic beat in music. In Lean, Takt Time creates a steady heartbeat for production, ensuring that work flows at a consistent, predictable rate.
Takt Time Formula:
Key aspects of Takt Time:
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Available Production Time: Total working time available (excluding breaks, meetings, etc.) during a shift or work period.
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Customer Demand: How many units the customer requires in that period.
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Production Rhythm: Sets the tempo for production to match customer needs without overproduction or delays.
Example of Takt Time Calculation:
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Available Production Time = 7 hours (25,200 seconds)
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Customer Demand = 420 units/day
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Takt Time = 25,200 ÷ 420 = 60 seconds per unit
This means one unit must be completed every 60 seconds to meet customer demand.
Benefits of using Takt Time:
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Creates a smooth and balanced production flow
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Prevents overproduction and underproduction
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Helps identify bottlenecks and resource issues
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Enhances scheduling and capacity planning
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Encourages teamwork and steady work pace
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Supports better customer satisfaction through on-time delivery
Common challenges with Takt Time:
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Fluctuating customer demand requiring frequent adjustments
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Machine breakdowns or absenteeism affecting available time
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Complexity in mixed-model production lines (producing different products)
Solutions to manage Takt Time effectively:
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Flexible staffing and equipment arrangements
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Regular preventive maintenance to minimize downtime
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Implementing Lean tools like Heijunka (production leveling) to balance workload
TAD – Terrain Awareness Display
Terrain Awareness Display (TAD) is a visual system used in aircraft cockpits to provide pilots with real-time information about the terrain below. It helps pilots avoid potential collisions with terrain, especially during low-altitude flights or in poor visibility conditions.
TADIA – Type Approval Data for Interchange Between Authorities
Type Approval Data for Interchange Between Authorities (TADIA) is a system that allows the exchange of type approval data between regulatory authorities in different countries. This facilitates the global recognition of vehicle certifications, ensuring consistency and reducing duplication in the approval process.
TAE – Type Approval Examination
Type Approval Examination (TAE) is the process by which a vehicle or component is tested and evaluated to ensure that it meets regulatory requirements for safety, emissions, and performance. The examination results in the issuance of a type approval certificate.
TAF – Trade Association Forum
Trade Association Forum (TAF) is an organization that supports and represents trade associations in the UK. It provides resources, networking opportunities, and best practices to help associations operate more effectively, including those in the automotive industry.
TAF – Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) is a weather report issued for an airport, providing meteorological information critical for flight planning and operations. TAFs include data on wind, visibility, cloud cover, and weather phenomena expected within the next 24 to 30 hours.
TAI – Thermal Anti-Ice
Thermal Anti-Ice (TAI) is a system used in aircraft to prevent the accumulation of ice on critical surfaces, such as the wings and engine inlets, by heating these areas. Ice buildup can affect flight performance and safety, making thermal anti-ice systems essential for safe operations in cold weather conditions.
TALC – Type Approval Liaison Committee
Type Approval Liaison Committee (TALC) is a group that facilitates communication and coordination between regulatory bodies and manufacturers regarding type approval regulations. The committee works to ensure consistency and efficiency in the type approval process for automotive products.
TALPA – Takeoff and Landing Performance Assessment Aviation Rules Committee
Takeoff and Landing Performance Assessment (TALPA) Aviation Rules Committee is a regulatory body that establishes guidelines for assessing and improving takeoff and landing performance in aviation. This includes creating standards for runway condition assessments and ensuring safety during critical flight phases.
TAM – Total Airport Management
Total Airport Management (TAM) is an integrated approach to managing airport operations, including air traffic, ground services, and passenger flow. TAM systems aim to improve the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of airport operations by coordinating all relevant stakeholders.
TAN – Traffic Area Network
Traffic Area Network (TAN) refers to the network of traffic management systems that monitor and control vehicle movement within a specific region. In the automotive industry, TAN ensures smooth traffic flow, reduces congestion, and improves road safety.
TAN – Technical Advice Note
Technical Advice Note refers to documents issued by the Welsh government that provide planning policy advice on specific technical subjects, including transport and environmental impact. These notes guide local authorities and developers in complying with planning regulations.
TAO – Traffic Area Office
Traffic Area Office (TAO) is a regional office responsible for overseeing and regulating traffic management, vehicle licensing, and road safety enforcement. In the automotive sector, TAO ensures that vehicles comply with local traffic laws and safety regulations.
TAR – Type Approval Regulations
Type Approval Regulations (TAR) refer to the legal framework that governs the certification of vehicles and automotive components. These regulations ensure that products meet the necessary safety, environmental, and performance standards before they are allowed on the market.
TAR – Terminal Approach Radar
Terminal Approach Radar (TAR) is a radar system used to monitor and guide aircraft during the approach phase of flight, as they prepare to land at an airport. TAR provides air traffic controllers with real-time data on aircraft position and altitude, helping to ensure safe and efficient landings.
Target Condition
Target Condition in lean management refers to the desired future state of a process or operation that an organization aims to achieve through continuous improvement efforts. Defining target conditions helps teams focus on specific goals and track progress over time.
Target Conditions are often used within Toyota Kata, a structured approach to developing a continuous improvement mindset at all levels of an organization.
Key aspects of a Target Condition:
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Describes a Process, Not Just a Result: It focuses on how the process should function (flow, timing, quality, etc.), not just on the end metric.
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Future-Oriented: Represents a next step toward an overall goal, not the final destination.
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Specific and Measurable: Clearly defines expected behaviors, steps, and performance levels.
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Time-Limited: Typically meant to be reached within a few days, weeks, or months — not years.
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Focuses on Overcoming Obstacles: It provides direction for experimentation and problem-solving.
Examples of Target Conditions:
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Reducing assembly line cycle time from 90 seconds to 75 seconds per unit within one month
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Achieving a consistent 24-hour turnaround time for customer support tickets by the end of the quarter
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Ensuring 95% of incoming parts are delivered directly to point-of-use without temporary storage
Target Condition vs. Goal:
| Target Condition | Goal |
|---|---|
| Focuses on process behavior | Focuses on final result |
| Describes steps or system patterns | States an outcome (e.g., “reduce costs by 10%”) |
| Achieved through experimentation | Often achieved by directive or project |
Steps to set a Target Condition:
- Understand the Current Condition: Use facts and data to map out how things are currently operating.
- Define the Desired Future State: Be specific about the process behaviors you want to achieve.
- Identify Obstacles: List the main challenges that prevent reaching the Target Condition.
- Experiment: Conduct small, rapid Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycles to overcome obstacles.
- Adjust and Learn: Update understanding and refine the Target Condition as you learn.
Benefits of using Target Conditions:
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Provides clear focus and direction for continuous improvement efforts
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Encourages problem-solving and scientific thinking (experimentation)
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Reduces fear of failure by focusing on process improvement rather than just results
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Builds employee engagement and ownership of improvements
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Creates a systematic path to larger organizational goals
Target Costing
Target Costing is a pricing strategy used in lean management where a company determines the desired profit margin and sets the target cost of a product accordingly. The product is then designed and manufactured to meet this cost while ensuring quality and customer satisfaction.
Instead of building a product and then figuring out its price (traditional cost-plus pricing), Target Costing works backward: price first, then design and cost control to meet that price.
Target Costing Formula:
Key aspects of Target Costing:
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Customer-Driven: Focuses on what customers value and are willing to pay.
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Market-Based Pricing: Sets the price based on competitive market analysis, not internal costs.
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Cost Planning from the Start: Costs are controlled during the product design phase, not after.
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Cross-Functional Collaboration: Involves teams from engineering, procurement, marketing, and finance working together.
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Continuous Improvement: Encourages Kaizen (continuous improvement) to achieve and maintain cost targets over time.
Steps in the Target Costing process:
- Identify Customer Requirements: Understand what features, quality, and price customers expect.
- Set the Target Price: Based on customer expectations and competitive analysis.
- Determine the Desired Profit Margin: Define how much profit the company needs.
- Calculate the Target Cost: Target Price – Desired Profit = Target Cost.
- Design to Cost: Engineer the product to meet cost targets while maintaining quality and functionality.
- Analyze Gaps and Reduce Costs: If initial cost estimates are too high, redesign, simplify, or improve processes.
Examples of Target Costing:
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An automaker sets a price of $25,000 for a new model and needs a 10% profit margin, so the target cost is $22,500.
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A smartphone company plans a new mid-range device; based on customer expectations, the final retail price must be $400, meaning engineers must design it to cost $320 to produce.
Benefits of Target Costing:
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Reduces unnecessary product features that add cost but no customer value
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Enhances profitability without overpricing
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Improves cross-departmental teamwork
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Leads to more innovative and efficient designs
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Strengthens competitiveness in price-sensitive markets
Challenges in Target Costing:
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Requires very early and accurate customer insights
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Demands high discipline and creative problem-solving
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Potential tension between cost goals and product quality if not managed carefully
TAS – True Airspeed
True Airspeed (TAS) is the actual speed of an aircraft relative to the air through which it is flying. TAS is an important factor in flight planning and performance calculations, as it provides accurate speed readings, particularly at higher altitudes where air density is lower.
TAT – Total Air Temperature
Total Air Temperature (TAT) is the temperature of the air surrounding an aircraft, taking into account both the static air temperature and the heat generated by the aircraft’s movement through the air. TAT is used in flight performance calculations, including engine efficiency and fuel consumption.
TAWP-WG – Type Approval Working Party – Working Group
Type Approval Working Party – Working Group (TAWP-WG) is a collaborative group of experts from regulatory bodies and the automotive industry who work on harmonizing type approval standards and procedures. Their goal is to streamline the approval process across different countries.
TAWS – Terrain Awareness and Warning System
Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) is an onboard safety system used in aircraft to prevent collisions with terrain. TAWS uses real-time terrain data and aircraft positioning to alert pilots of potential obstacles, helping to avoid controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents.