Several years ago FRAM Oil Filters used the slogan “Pay me now, or pay me later” to convince customers to perform preventative maintenance on their cars. The premise was that it was easier and (much) cheaper to replace parts before they wear out and cause damage to the vehicle.
That same rational can be used when developing a new continuous improvement (CI) process. As a CI team builds a new process, it is important to evaluate where the new process could fail before it is implemented. Another way to look at the issue is to ask the question: how could I break this new process?
A great tool to use in this type of evaluation is called the failure mode and effects analysis, more commonly referred to as a FMEA. In a FMEA, the team evaluates each step of the process and evaluates potential points where it could fail. The team then determines the severity of the failure on the completion of the process, how likely the error could occur, and how easily the error could be detected. Using these criteria, the team can then determine which types of errors can have the most impact on the process. The team can then decide which errors must be avoided, ways to mitigate others, and select those that can be accepted if they occur.
A new CI process always has a risk of failure. By using tools such as a FMEA, a CI team can enhance the probability that the new method works as it was designed, providing greater efficiency and satisfaction to the team and the company.
How are you helping your employees to work smarter by reducing the amount of time they spend on non-productive activities? If your business processes need a “check-up,” please email me at michael@leadingchangeforgood.com! I’d love to help you get back to a healthy, productive workplace!
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