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Foundations of Standardized Work

Building a Culture of Improvement on Your Front Lines

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Foundations of Standardized Work

Standardized Work (SW) arms your management, supervisors and workforce with the mentality and methods to continually improve. SW is not a pack of standard operating procedures; it’s the control system that unifies and synchronizes work improvements for the lowest-cost, best quality and safest conditions possible.

More on Standardized Work

What We Will Cover

Our Foundations of Standardized Work course will help your teams see their jobs from a whole new perspective. They will identify variances in processes, eliminate ambiguities and solve problems. This course will unify your teams and help foster confidence in their influence — both in on-the-job improvement and on overall organizational results.

The course can be tailored to address either upper or mid-level management; the upper management iteration will emphasize the philosophy and intended results of SW, while the mid-level iteration will cover the more tactical aspects of SW implementation.

Objectives of this course include:

  • Defining the purpose and role of SW and TWI at the organizational level and on the frontlines.
  • Defining the relationship between SW and Continuous Improvement.
  • Defining the relationship between SW and Problem Solving.
  • Clarifying how Standardized Work, Standard Work, and Work Standards integrate and function.
  • Learning how to build higher levels of trust among frontline leaders and teams.

Course Key Definitions

Work Standards
Work Standards are concrete statements about various work conditions, work methods, work management methods and precautions. They are generally organized into three main categories: Process Conditions, Control Conditions and Operation Conditions.
Standard Work
A term that refers to a specific task or job for which the content, sequence, timing and outcome have been identified. Since the focus is on human motion, Standard Work is the description of that motion and its interaction with equipment and materials.
Standardized Work (SW)
Standardized Work refers to a process by which standards are identified. Standardized implies that the standards identified are then followed. Essentially, SW is the end condition and behavior from Standard Work and Work Standards being identified, taught, followed and enforced.

Foundations of Standardized Work Course Structure

Module One
  1. SW and TWI as improvement strategies
  2. Job example/simulation
  3. Detecting true causes of problems and the role of SW as judgement criteria

 

 

 

 

Module 2
  1. Standardization: Needs addressed and benefits gained
  2. The three areas of standardization
  3. Understanding work elements and work standards
  4. Types and development of work standards
  5. Management philosophy: Importance and role
Module 3
  1. Correct usage of standard work and work standards; understanding them as the baseline for improvement strategies
  2. Step-by-step review and practice of SW Development Process; writing the three forms of SW
  3. Recognizing conditions for setting work standards
Module 4
  1. Practical field observation: Significance, structure and practice
  2. Using work standards to identify problems
  3. How to conduct group sessions and practice
  4. How to aggregate and use results from observation

 

Module 5
  1. Summary and presentation of field practice results
  2. Relationship and utilization of TWI with SW
  3. How to conduct a comprehensive review of site forms
  4. Understanding field management based upon work standards
  5. Recommend next steps to management based on field practice findings

Our end-to-end approach sets us apart

Our proven methods stretch far beyond essential TWI, Kata and Standardized Work training. From initial preparation to ongoing consulting, we prepare people and workplaces for continuous improvement, better outcomes and increased engagement.
  1. 1
    Preparation
  2. 2
    Education
  3. 3
    Adoption
  4. 4
    Integration
  5. 5
    Certification
  6. 6
    Continuation
Step One:
Preparation

We start with an assessment and provide tailored recommendations for your workers and your workplace. KPIs are set, a communication strategy is planned and workforce orientation begins.

Step Two:
Education

Supervisors, team leaders and those who direct the work of others attend, participate and learn in our cornerstone programs: TWI, Kata and Standardized Work.

Step Three:
Adoption

We work with you to plan a pilot program and teams begin to learn by doing. Through workplace practice and coaching, we help students accept the ideas and put them to work. We’re with you through every step of the journey.

Step Four:
Integration

We assess learning, validate pilot results, incorporate skills into routines, evaluate practices and culture, and measure performance against KPIs.

Step Five:
Certification

We execute worker and workplace certifications, including TWI Certification (student and trainer), Kata Certification (student and trainer), and Train-the-Trainer Certification.

Step Six:
Continuation

We stay connected with planned reassessments, KPI checks, remedial coaching, and re-certifications to protect and grow your return on investment.

What Our Clients Say

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Standardized Work involves frontline people in the process of improving. It develops higher levels of trust, ownership, and openness to change.
Alexandria Industries
Alexandria Industries

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