Show How Jobs Can Be Simplified
Perhaps this is a given in the manufacturing world of สายธารคุณค่า Mapping
(VSM), but the concept of simplifying job duties and tasks can also be a big
winner for the transactional สายธารคุณค่า. An extremely powerful question to
ask team members and employees within the สายธารคุณค่า is, “What can we
stop doing right now that will have zero negative impact on the process and
customer?”
For example, it is amazing how many unnecessary signatures can be eliminated.
Reducing the number of signatures not only eliminates unnecessary processing,
but also can eliminate very large blocks of time wasted while waiting
for those signatures. Another great example is eliminating 100% audits of clerical
staff work. Instead, use the best methods from numerous other sectors to reduce
audits to a meaningful level, and generate a real return on the time and effort
invested.
Mapping teams should leave no stone unturned in their quest to simplify
transactional employees’ jobs. It does not take much in the way of eliminating
tasks that employees view as a waste of time and effort to create strong advocates
of the methods used in สายธารคุณค่า Mapping and the projects that come
out of these maps.
Emphasize Work Flow and Reduced Handling of Work
Much of this book focuses on identifying where work stops and how to get it
flowing. For transactional employees, the need for creating flow is not always
readily visible. However, there is another way to get the message across. Instead
of focusing on how to create flow, push the concept of eliminating unnecessary
handling of work.
You can show the effects of excess handling by reviewing the Current State
Map and looking for changeover time and unnecessary processing. Total up
these times and create a single number that represents the annual time requirement.
It may even be useful to calculate the dollar value of this wasted effort.
Spend the time necessary to find where multiple handlings of work exist and
look for ways to combine process steps, just as is done in manufacturing processes.
Sorting and resorting, filing and refiling, as well as creating batches of
paperwork for copying are perfect examples of these situations. Work as a team
to find ways, such as those shown in Figure 17.3, to simplify the work of
employees and eliminate this unnecessary handling and processing.
The goal in all of this has already been discussed in this chapter. Move transactional
work as far as possible through the สายธารคุณค่า before setting it down.
By creating synchronous flow whenever possible, and moving it step by step in
order without stopping the flow, more work can be completed, and employees
can be much more efficient without working harder … just smarter.