When operational problems occur, one thing is certain – doing nothing guarantees that the situation will not improve and most likely will get worse. Oftentimes, the issues that negatively impact on operations are obscured by the routine of day-to-day business. There may be a general feeling or sense that operations could be improved, but fixing the situation is not so obvious and not yet a high priority.
What’s needed is a systematic approach. When poor performance is suspected, first investigate and collect data at the source of the problem. Make sure a specific problem isn’t a symptom of a still far greater problem perhaps more serious in nature. Sometimes it’s the subtle problems which sap the operation’s vitality. Dig deep. This sometimes requires outside help from an industry expert. Take enough time. Set a realistic schedule.
Holste Says... |
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| Moving ahead too quickly and/or with incomplete data defeats the whole systematic approach and can ultimately defeat the initiative. |
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The following are specific actions that will assist in properly defining and improving operations:
1. Investigate and assemble pertinent data
2. Analyze the data
3. Apply proven operational and processing principles
4. Develop and test potential solution(s)
4. Integrate solution(s) organizationally through a comprehensive training program
5. Evaluate results and fine tune
Collecting and analyzing data can be challenging. Getting everyone’s input can be a time-consuming effort spread over days, if not weeks. This “in–the-trenches” work needs to be done in order to uncover the not so obvious contributing factors. Once all the input has been collected and documented, data analysis, preliminary engineering, and economic justification of the probable solution(s) can be completed. Moving ahead too quickly and/or with incomplete data defeats the whole systematic approach and can ultimately defeat the initiative.
It’s a good idea to remember that given the constant changes taking place throughout the consumer marketplace, new operational problems and issues are going to popup. Therefore, having a disciplined continuous improvement approach for resolving them is a really good idea.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to know in advance where the operations potential vulnerabilities are. One suggestion we received from a veteran ops VP is to involve associates who are not specifically connected to the operation or department being scrutinized, and who therefore, can provide an “off-the-wall” idea with impunity. It’s the “can’t see the forest for the trees” idea.
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