A jab at people whose role on the floor is checking, auditing, scheduling or reporting rather than making parts. It reflects the divide between the office and the floor, and it softens fast when the clipboard carrier turns out to know how to run a machine. Good ones earn a different name.
Heard on the job
Clipboard warrior wants to know why the cycle time's up, tell him to come watch the bird's nest on op twenty.
Also heard as
- clipboard commando
Do not mix it up with
- Guys on the tools: The guys on the tools are the hands-on workers; the clipboard warrior is the person checking their work.
Related terms
Guys on the tools
The tradespeople actually doing the hands-on work, as opposed to supervisors, planners and office staff.
Good idea fairy
The imaginary visitor who brings last-minute changes and bright ideas nobody thought through.
Button pusher
Dismissive name for a CNC operator who loads parts and presses cycle start but does not set up or program.