A good CEO is someone who is a proponent of lean manufacturing. Using resources and waste from core activities wisely is essential to making a profit. In large companies, such issues are usually handled by the production director.
Establishment of an autonomous problem-solving working group
Typically, a manager at this level receives information from employees along the following chain: worker – foreman – foreman – engineer-technologist – department leader – shop manager – deputy for production – general director. Since a large number of people are involved in the transfer of information, the data may be delayed in transit or arrive in a distorted form.
To avoid such a nurse database situation, organize working groups at the enterprise. They should consist of representatives from each of the production departments. The groups should be given tasks that reflect the enterprise's plans in the nearest time interval. Each of them should solve the problem at its level and bring the adopted conclusion to the director.
The use of such practices allows to reduce resource losses. Each employee will offer his own solution to the task, which will allow to choose the best way out in the current situation.
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Visual management
The development of these tools is usually carried out by employees of the quality department. When carrying out this work, it is necessary to take into account the specifics of the enterprise. You can often see that at the entrance to the workshop there are tables or diagrams reflecting the productivity of shifts. Indicators that exceed the production rate or, conversely, fall short of the plan are marked in color on them. In the event of the second situation, it is necessary to find out the reasons for what happened and identify those responsible for the failure.
It is the quality department employees who find out why the work did not go according to plan. A separate report is drawn up for each case, which is then discussed at a meeting with the shop manager. Different colors of employee uniforms can also be used as a visual management tool. In factories and industrial workshops, quality control employees are often dressed in brightly colored uniforms so that other personnel can quickly find them and ask a question if necessary.
This practice allows you to save time and increase employee motivation.
Rational use of space
It is necessary to design workplaces so that nothing interferes with the production process. Employees cannot waste extra time moving between machines or workshops. There should be no obstacles around the workplace that interfere with technological movements. This approach allows you to save time and reduce labor costs. Production areas are used more efficiently, and transportation and movement costs are significantly reduced.
Rational use of space
Change of activities (staff rotation)
After you have informed all employees about the company's goals and the need for improvement, it is necessary to ensure that this work is carried out systematically. The staff must understand that their personal well-being depends on the success of the enterprise. Familiarization with the work of related workshops plays an important role in this. To improve the skills of employees and their vision of the entire production process, it is sometimes possible to rotate specialists from one workshop to another.
This practice allows employees to become familiar with the implementation of related processes. The staff communicates with each other and solves problems that arise during interaction. Workers agree on production stage standards, which prevents the recurrence of defects. Personnel rotation disciplines employees and allows identifying the causes of problems.
Maintenance of equipment (workplace)
In order for the enterprise to operate comfortably, it is necessary to maintain the equipment in perfect condition. It is equally important to organize the workplace correctly. All necessary tools and raw materials should be at hand. It is necessary that not only engineers and technical specialists, but also the workers themselves participate in the maintenance of the equipment. They can conduct preventive inspection of the devices and be responsible for keeping them clean.
This practice increases production safety. Equipment is kept in working order longer. Risks of accidents and failures in the operation of devices are reduced. Even on domestic equipment, as a result of careful handling, it is possible to achieve an increased efficiency coefficient.
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