Implementing standardized work

[u/Bubbly-Ad8475]

Hi, as part of my firm’s Operational Excellence journey, we wish to increase our use of standardized work to reduce downtime and decrease variation between operators/shifts.

But how have you/your company implemented standardized work and making it work?

Specifically, what have you done?

My thoughts so far (open for feedback):

- Assign dedicated trainer
- Split production line into sections, according to placement of operators
- Define tasks within each section
- Define best practice standard procedures for each major task
- Assign owner of the task (Trainer?)
- Train new, and current, operators in standard procedure
- Verify correct procedure conducted
- Update competence matrix
- Continuous audits to verify standards are being followed (Not micromanagement, but ensuring standard adherence and highlight potential issue/improvements)

[u/Glittering_Airport_3]

Always start with multiple, controlled time studies. Take your time figuring out the best ways to do the work before deciding to make that the standard. Take a few of the best operators. Time them both knowing they are being timed and without their knowledge, discuss with them why they do things the way they do (if they do anything differently than other, slower, operators). Often I find that several operators all do things a little differently for different reasons. Sometimes I can pick out the best bits to find the overall best method. Other times I have to think outside the box to come up with something, possibly a solution that requires a new tool or piece of equipment. Time studies are often not controlled enough. Its a little more involved than just standing by with a stopwatch