Standardized Work

• Increased productivity
• Simplified training of new operators
• Established basis for continuous improvement
• Reduced scrap and rework
• Improved safety

Standard Work evokes images of industrial engineers with stopwatches creating regimented work rules in order to squeeze out every second of productivity. In the lean world Standardized Work means focusing on reducing waste within a system. Standardization is not work standards, it is the basis for continuous improvement.

Standardized Work involves looking at people, equipment, and materials to describe the current most efficient sequences, locations, and practices. The results are simple instructions that foster uniform methods and the standard for operator training.

Like many tools of lean manufacturing, Standardized Work includes extensive use of visual controls and clear, uniform work instructions.

The Standardized Work process focuses on a work sequence or cell. The typical process of implementing Standardized Work is as follows:

• Study the process and document the specific steps. Documentation exposes specific problems and process wastes that negatively impact productivity and throughput.
• Based on the analysis of the problems, action items are identified to solve the problems and reduce/eliminate the waste.
• Subsequently, the identified solutions are implemented into the work cell.
• Upon implementation of the solutions, new standards are established and the results are consistently measured.
• Since Standardized Work is a process and not a one time event, the process cycle is repeated in an effort to achieve continuous improvement.