Many managers and specialists wonder about the main purpose of instructions in their organizations. It’s worth asking this question, especially in the context of continuous process improvement and work standardization. Work instructions can play a key role in ensuring that processes run according to established standards, but their correct implementation and use are crucial for an organization’s success.
Main Purpose of Instructions in the Training Process
In the TWI (Training Within Industry) program, the main purpose of instructions is to support job training and process improvement. Instructions are a tool that allows employees to receive the same amount of knowledge, regardless of who conducts the training. This is crucial because standardizing the learning process ensures that every person learning a particular position gains the skills in the same way. This model of teaching not only ensures uniformity in the work performed but also forms the foundation for further improvements in production processes.
Work instructions, therefore, serve an important function in ensuring that every employee performing a task follows a set pattern. As a result, it becomes possible not only to achieve repeatable results but also to more easily monitor and improve processes.
Differences Between a Work Instruction and a Work Standard
Many people confuse the terms work instruction and work standard. However, the differences between them are essential, and understanding them is crucial for effective work organization.
- Work instruction is a document describing how to perform a specific operation. It contains detailed steps that an employee should take to achieve the desired result.
- Work standard, on the other hand, refers to the repeatability of the process, not necessarily to the document itself. A standard is the way a process is carried out and monitored, with the goal of achieving consistent results in each production cycle.
As Taiichi Ohno, one of the creators of the Toyota Production System, rightly pointed out, “the standard is the basis for improvement.” It’s not just about ensuring that every instruction is identical but ensuring that the process by which employees are trained is standardized. This allows for a focus on improving the method of task execution, not just the final results.
What Challenges Are Associated with Implementing Instructions?
Implementing work instructions in a company is not always a simple task. Organizations often face various challenges, such as employee resistance to new work methods, difficulties in monitoring compliance with instructions, or a lack of proper engagement from management. To overcome these challenges, it is essential to ensure that the main purpose of instructions is well understood at all levels of the organization.
- Employee Engagement: Employees need to be aware of the benefits of a standardized work process. Before implementing new instructions, it’s worth conducting training to explain their purpose and advantages.
- Supervision and Monitoring: After implementing instructions, it is necessary to regularly monitor compliance and evaluate the process’s effectiveness.
- Adapting to Changing Conditions: Processes in companies often change, so instructions should be regularly updated to reflect these changes.
Why is Standardization So Important?
Standardization is key to the success of any organization striving for continuous improvement. Without standardization, it is difficult to identify areas requiring improvement and monitor progress in achieving goals. The main purpose of instructions in this context is to support the standardization process by unifying how tasks are performed.
This not only increases work efficiency but also improves the quality of products and services. Employees trained according to the same standards adapt more easily to changing conditions and acquire new skills faster.
Main Purpose of Instructions – Conclusion
Work instructions play a key role in organizations, especially in the context of employee training and process improvement. The main purpose of instructions is to unify the training process, which is the foundation for work standardization and continuous improvement. However, implementing effective instructions requires the engagement of both employees and management, as well as regular monitoring of their effectiveness.
Remember, a standard is not the same as an instruction. A standard is the way the process is carried out, while an instruction is a detailed description of the steps to take to achieve the desired result.
He is a Senior Consultant of the TWI program and Lean Management at LeanTrix. He is also a leader in the startup project - etwi system. He was a member of a global team that implemented the TPM system for several automotive plants in Europe, Asia, South America and North America.
