Senior managers are sometimes impatient for their TPM program to kick off, but there is a lot more to developing the 8 Pillars than just deciding to go ahead. The preparatory phase of the 12-Step TPM Development Program (Steps 1-5, shown in Table “The 12-Step TPM Development Program”) is extremely important, and generally takes between 3 to 6 months depending on the size of the company. Thorough organizational preparations and TPM briefings for everyone in the company from senior managers to front-line employees are essential for the success of the TPM program. Just as with the conceptual design of a product, only sound preparation and planning will ensure a good result. Chapter “Getting Ready for TPM” explains the ideas behind this preparatory phase and gives some practical advice on how to carry it out.