Employees do not work with a copy of a work instruction in hand. So why do we have them? Here are ideas on how to get the most value out of these documents.
1. Training
New employees start with the process expert so that they can observe how tasks should be performed.
The trainer uses the work instructions so that the new employee understands the basis for which they are performing tasks.
The trainer can reaffirm the defined steps, and the new person can confirm the validity of the process.
This training process is a great opportunity for an additional review of the content of the work instructions.
Ensure that the work instructions are readily available in case of questions (electronically whenever possible).
Be sure the content of the instructions is in a format that allows for quick reading, one thought per bullet point.
Do not write in paragraphs—nobody wants to read a story.
Write “how” the instruction is to be done specifically for each core task.
Avoid defining “why” the activity is performed. There should not be a need for an expert organization to reaffirm why core tasks are needed.
If it is felt that “why” information needs to be defined, write separately from these reference instructions and make this additional description available as “reference only” training documents.
3. Problem Solving
Reference the work instructions when internal or external nonconformances are identified.
Ask if the supporting instruction properly defines the process; audit the instruction to confirm proper definition.
If the task is properly defined, the manner by which training is conducted may need to be revisited.
The operator/employee cannot be held fully accountable if the records of training are to an inadequately defined work instruction.
4. Continuous Improvement
The current documentation should be the starting point for all improvements.
Improve the work instructions through document reviews, audits, a problem solving process and, most importantly, with the input from the experts who perform the tasks.
Always improve existing documentation before deciding to create a new document.
Increased volume does not equate to continuous improvement.
Identifying that your work instructions serve these four key purposes provides additional evidence that your organization practices advanced quality planning. It demonstrates that top management understands the importance of ensuring that guiding documentation is properly created, implemented, utilized and improved upon.
Starting on Thursday August 8, 2024, PM will begin “gating” its premium content, asking all new website users to provide some information about themselves — name, title, employer, email address — before they are provided free access to the content.
We are doing this because the ways PM’s audience finds and accesses our content is changing. Google’s search algorithms, increasingly, make it difficult to connect PM’s content with the people who might make use of it. On top of that, generative AI like ChatGPT is serving up PM content to internet users without attributing that content to PM.
As a result, it has become increasingly important for PM evolve its audience development strategy and learn as much as possible about who is accessing our content, what content they are accessing and how they are accessing it.
With this audience development strategy, we hope to do two things:
First, we will be better able to deliver directly to our audience the editorial content that aligns with the machining materials, processes and technologies that interest them.
Second, we will be better able to connect the materials, equipment and services our advertisers supply with the audience that is most interested in them.
PM plays a distinctive role and has earned a place of esteem within the focused and specialized industry it serves. Large developments in the media landscape are forcing us to change the way we communicate with our audience. We are confident that our audience values the role PM plays in their professional lives and will join us in this effort to stay connected to them.
We thank you for your continued interest in and support of PM and welcome any questions you might have about the brand’s new content gating strategy.
