Description

Standardized Work Instructions (SWI) are instructions/best practices designed to ensure that processes are safe, efficient, and effective. They can be created for any process. The SWI is printed, laminated, and posted near the operators work station. The manager will show the employee how to perform the operation. Then, the employee will show the manager. The manager will observe the employee and write down deviations. Finally, the manager will walk the employee through the process one more time, but indicate where the employee deviated from the best practice standard work process that was created. Results of using SWI are improvements in: Improved quality and consistency of the finished product Process is more efficient, effective, and safer It takes time and effort, as well as a small cost for printing, to produce the SWI. Include all significant steps, but make simplistic and easy to read. The SWI are a logical outcome of process improvement initiatives. Also for development, training, and education of best practices, and new employee education. Start with interviewing the Subject Matter Experts to clearly define the process. Without SWI, operators and their managers must rely on collective memory to continue performing a process in an safe and optimal manner. SWI reinforces in-person training by having the instructions at the workstations, where the work is being done. SWI's get old the same moment that they were created, so like any other process, they need to be continuously improved. Visual Work Instructions: A poster with step-by-step instructions with illustrations and/or photographs to show the machine, the operator, the path for moving the material, etc. It is easier for an operator to check a visual aid than to read detailed instructions We will be addressing the 4 M's: Manpower Material Machinery Methods List or illustrate the operator's actions List the wait times required by the process We will be building customized audits that coincide with the SWI including: Author Date Revision number The SWI instructions are truly to benefit the manager, who can quickly see discrepancies/deviations between the operator's actions and the posted instructions, and take actions to improve the process immediately. Auditors can observe the process being done and give immediate feedback for improvements to be made.

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