Comprehensive On-site Improvement

Author: Shi Changyin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features:
1. Re-examine every day's work with a skeptical eye
1. Create a field work atmosphere where every task is executed conscientiously
A foreign-funded company organized a group learning session for its employees. The trainer asked a question: "Who knows how sweaters we wear are made?" Less than 10% of the employees knew the answer. When asked again, "What is the key to knitting a sweater?" None could answer. This is because with the prevalence of mechanized production, traditional knitting methods are rarely used anymore.
As everyone knows, knitting a sweater is a labor-intensive task that requires knitting various patterns and designs in order, one stitch at a time. If one stitch is missed or the sequence is wrong, a hole will appear in the sweater, which cannot be fixed and must be entirely unraveled and knitted again. Therefore, the key to knitting a sweater is to knit each stitch carefully—never to overlook or be negligent about any single stitch. Only by ensuring each stitch is solid and meets the requirements can the final sweater be perfect.
There is an old Chinese proverb that says, "Without accumulating small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles," telling us that everything starts with small deeds and gradual progress to achieve results. Field management has no big tasks; field improvement begins with every small detail of field management. Therefore, the arrangement of field work must have priority, starting with small tasks and executing them one by one with meticulous care to qualify as excellent field management and workmanship. Every task in the work area must be valued while also being prioritized. For example, determine which task should be completed first, which can be delayed without consequence; which task requires precision, and which only needs to meet functional requirements. By deeply understanding the importance and urgency of tasks and categorizing them accurately, and then conveying this clearly to the workers, employees can avoid detours and improve field work efficiency.
The larger the enterprise, the more it relies on close coordination and mutual assistance between departments to enhance overall performance. Doing every small task in the field team diligently is the best way to improve the company's overall results. When improving the practice of completing every task conscientiously, the most direct obstacles to work can be identified. During management and execution, small improvements can eliminate problems within the smallest possible impact range.
Only when the field fosters a strong atmosphere of conscientiously completing every task and all employees can decisively determine task priorities and quickly judge and handle assignments will high-efficiency field work be formed. P60-61