Team Standards in Action

Team standards in action. Team standards? Everyone doing things the same way? Why? Let’s look at a standard, say… parking. Some may notice more and more car parks request people to “reverse park” into spaces when cars are parked perpendicularly (90 degrees to road/ path/wall/etc).

Enhanced Visibility: The Logic of Reverse Parking

Why? When leaving a space, if not reverse parked into a space, the visibility of the parked cars on either side makes it difficult to see people or other cars on their way to behind your car.

Reverse Parking Challenges

If the car is reverse parked, the logic is that when leaving a space, the view from the front windscreen and side windows improves the chances of seeing people or other cars approaching.

Addressing Reverse Parking Concerns

Are there problems with reverse parking – yes. Many people do not like to reverse park for a number of valid reasons: access to boot (trunk) can be easier forward parking, can feel harder to use mirrors/cameras, or can be stressful when other vehicles will need to wait.

Innovative Solutions for Easier Reverse Parking

The solutions to access to the boot (trunk), how to use mirrors / cameras, or stress from other vehicles could be found without increasing the risks being avoided by reverse parking. The safe walkways behind spaces for access, wider spaces, more visualization on walls or handing to show the size of space, the technology of lane detection applied to parking, etc…

The Power of Team Standards

The standard helps teams improve. Without the standard, my access to the boot (trunk) may feel more important when my perceived risk for reversing out is low. Without the standard, the common problems are never confronted… Team standards allow the team to face the same problems, when each problem is solved and team standards are updated the whole team benefits. Standards help teams.

Summary

Team standards play a crucial role in promoting consistency and improvement within any group. The focus on a standard as seemingly routine as parking reveals the logic behind practices like reverse parking, which enhances visibility and safety. While there are challenges associated with reverse parking, innovative solutions can address these concerns without compromising safety. Embracing team standards ensures that shared problems are collectively confronted and solved, benefiting the entire team. Ultimately, these standards are a driving force for continuous improvement, fostering a culture of efficiency and excellence.