“Today’s standardization…is the necessary foundation on which tomorrow’s improvement will be based. If you think of “standardization” as the best you know today, but which is to be improved tomorrow-you get somewhere. But if you think of standards as confining, then progress stops.” – Henry Ford
We looked at how constraints defined the sand box you play in; now let’s examine the role standards play in the daily work. Way back in 1926 when Henry Ford was writing about standardization in his book, Today and Tomorrow, he was pointing out that to improve a process you need to have a repeatable process to begin with. We refer to this as a standard. The standard identifies the sequence and timing of the work, as well as the tools and components necessary for the defined outcome. You know everyone who follows the standard will arrive with the same result. The standard is a training aid and reference guide. Many think the standard is restricting in that it restricts creativity. No doubt the standard is controlling, however it is the foundation for change in this way:
Create a standard
Follow the standard
Improve the standard
Repeat endlessly
This is Kaizen, continual improvement.
Who best creates the standard? The people who perform the task
Who best follows the standard? The people who perform the task
Who best improves the standard? The people who perform the task
When the front line workers are actively engaged in improving the standards of the daily work amazing events will begin to occur. Many, many small improvements at the front line of the work will elevate how your organization creates and provides customer value to the highest possible level.
To facilitate this, some learning will need to take place and some trust will need to be provided.
Would you like to see this level of engagement at your workplace?
To discuss or learn more Email me at www.leanthoughtstarter@gmail.com
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