"...Our
engineering department is overwhelmed with paperwork. This is caused by continually
having to take time studies to keep track of standards changes due to D.L. turnover and
the many different styles and materials we have. Is there a way out of this paperwork
dilemma?" B.K.,
Pennsylvania
THE INDUSTRY ADVISOR
A PICTURE IS WORTH . . .
By Gene Levine - www.genelevine.com
Looks like you need to engineer your engineering department. In my
opinion, your problem is caused by using a traditional "manual" system which
requires writing information rather than viewing information. Why not use videotapes to do
your documentation. Video taping is easier, less expensive and a more effective way to
document your standards and keep them current and fair.
At my time study seminars, attendees are required to write-up a method of a job they see. After they write it up manually they are asked to count how many words and how much time it took to describe that 15 minute video segment. They quickly realize that "a picture is really worth a thousand words" and my recommendation (to them and to you) is that they no longer write-up jobs but video tape them instead. They quickly understand that usually the person doing the writing is a key-person who could be used for more valuable things. So, freeing your key people is only one of the benefits to using videos. Another benefit includes faster training of new employees.
For work standards to be effective, employees must have complete confidence in the standard. The key to employee acceptance is employee involvement and empowerment in the determination of work standards. Videotaping allows workers to see what engineers see. This is one of its most effective features. Your present technique of setting standards does not afford employees the opportunity to see a graphic, objective presentation of themselves working.
Videos reduce the subjectivity in ratings by recording performance on videotape. Through different angles, degrees of zoom and finally play back in slow or stop motion allows more than one evaluation at the same time with open communication between engineers (to establish common frames of reference). Once performance rating has been determined, the next step is establishment of time data. Here again, videotape is of great value.
What happens when a standard that has been established becomes dormant for a period of time, due to style change? When that operation returns, the original workers may no longer be available and so the engineering department must duplicate effort to prove out the standard. By having the original standard documented on video tape, you always have the worker(s) - used to set the standard - with you.
How often have you found your written standard were not updated to reflect changes in motion patterns, attachments or equipment? If a supervisor or a worker makes a subtle change which is difficult to describe in written form some time later, we are confronted with a creeping "loose rate." Videotaped standards are not dependent on journalistic ability, individual interpretation and thereby have objective interpretation regardless of turnover.
Looking at training supervision, new workers or retraining existing workers we find further benefits from videos. At the outset of usual training programs, new employees generally find it difficult to establish confidence or relate personally to a production goal. For this very reason many training programs employ drill training techniques to gradually introduce the trainee to the ultimate goal. Videotape has produced a very interesting and effective supplement to the practice of elemental job training. Seeing the entire standard being performed instills confidence in the trainee and helps form a mental image of the ultimate goal. This video image remains with the trainee as the individual elements of the job are learned. The same library of videotapes serving as documentation of standard data can also function as an extremely effective training resource for supervisor training too. This entire subject of how to best use video is covered in depth in my Basic Time Study Manual.
Let us now examine the simple requirements when introducing videotaping in your company. You will need a mobile unit consisting of a low-light video camera with a zoom lens, a remote controllable V.C.R. (with stop and slow motion capabilities) and television monitor which can roll easily to the work area of the jobs to be televised. For easy information retrieval, every video tape has to be assigned a letter (Tape "A", Tape "B", etc.) and each taped job has to be assigned a counter location number – (for example video tape "J", counter numbers 15632 to 18955, contains "Hem Back" on style number 12345).
It is advisable to inform both the supervisors and workers that upon completion of the recording and its analysis the tape playback will be shown for their comments. There is a psychological value in having all employees view the operation prior to setting the standard. It involves them in what they have done and will truly be the basis upon which the standard is to be established.
The process is simple. First record a general view of the operation showing all motion patterns and placement of parts in the work area. Include a large table-top stop-clock into the scene. Then be sure to . . ..
To obtain the highly informative balance of this valuable, timely and authoritative paper there is a small recompense fee of $10.00 payable by credit card – using our secure server. Upon notification of your payment, the ENTIRE PAPER will be E-mailed to you. |
Copyright © 2010 Gene Levine Associates, All Rights Reserved
CLICK HERE TO PAY ON-LINE
USING OUR SECURE SERVER
