Work Instructions | Standard Work | Training Within Industry

To implement standard work, it is essential to have work instructions. In this video, I explain how to create instructions effectively and efficiently using the basics of training within the industry.

☞ Text and Concept by Andrea Manti, CBDO at Lean Community.

👌 This video is made in collaboration with Lean Community:

Join the Lean Community here:

📌 Discord

📌 LinkedIn

📌Twitter

📌Facebook

📌Telegram

✏️ Transcript of the video

▶ What is a work instruction and how to write it effectively?

This video is made in collaboration with the Lean Community. Join the group and start using the Lean Token.

A work instruction is a document that explains how a task should be performed.

Work Instruction is a standard, thus is the baseline to improve a process, as Taiichi Ohno said while talking about Toyota Production System.

▶ But what is the best way to write a Work Instruction?

First, we need to remember that the learning curve could be represented as a pyramid and that the amount of information a person can retain after reading a document is very limited in time.

Observe in this image the relationship between the action performed and the person's learning rate.

This important message should remind us that any standard, including work instruction, should not be prepared to be read by users.

▶ Purpose of Work Instruction

Purpose of Work Instruction is meant to be used for training purposes, not to give for reading.

Another important message before starting the preparation of the Work Instruction is that a standard should be prepared together with users, and never forced to be used from above.

The main goal of a standard is to collect and transfer knowledge and best practices, for an organization to grow and develop.

One of the most effective ways to write a work instruction is to follow the TWI methodology.

According to TWI, any human task could be broken down into smaller elements that represent the What, How, and Why a task is performed.

This way of breaking down a task will also make it easier for people to retain and remember information for a long time, due to the logical sequence used.

▶ Golden Rules for Work Instructions

There are as well some golden rules that could be used to make the creation process of a Work Instruction even more effective.

Here are the 10 golden rules.

1. Always prepare the work instruction in the Gemba, at the workstation
2. Always prepare the work instruction together with the final users
3. Start with a logical sequence of the process steps
4. Add key points and reasons after validating the sequence
5. Reduce the number of words
6. Use pictures, images, or drawings to explain key points
7. Never give work instruction to read
8. Work Instruction should focus on the work of the person, not on the machine
9. Do not forget about the materials and tools needed to perform the task
10. Remember the goal of Work Instruction: stabilize and standardize the job, having people trained!

Thank you for watching this video.

In the description, you can find other useful references to learn more about lean manufacturing.

ツ CONNECT WITH ME ツ

Hi,

my name is Mark Anderson a 20+ year Lean Expert.
I have created LeanVlog because I want to spread Lean Thinking worldwide and I think the video is the most effective way to teach, learn, and spread knowledge.

If you want to stay in touch with me you can choose the channel you prefer.

A) To Be Updated on the Lean Videos and Communicate

B) Meet on Facebook

C) Latest Videos and Playlist.

D) 2 Videos every week.