Standard Work

Standard Work is the act of completing a process sequence and method, the same way every time. It includes the design, documentation and doing of the work. Creating standard work involves learning and standardizing the best combination of person, equipment and process to complete the job in the safest and most efficient / effective way. In a Lean context, ensures that the work is performed with consistent quality and within takt time, thereby enabling “flow”.

Standard work results in:

• More efficient (greater productivity) processes because they are more effective (less interruptions and higher quality)
• Fewer variables for performance and therefore a better, more usable baseline from which to continuously improve
• Better training and people development because there is a defined best method.

Three Key Elements of Standard Work

1. Takt Time – Customer required output within a given time period
2. Work Sequence – The flow of work inside the process
3. Standard Quantity
   > Manufacturing: Quantity of work material inside the process (inventory)
   > Service: How much work time must be applied to meet demand

Once these elements are understood, the individual processes can be optimized and standardized. As individual micro-processes are optimized, they are then analyzed and consolidated using the a standard work combination sheet. This allows adjustments and balance inside macro-processes.