Customer case: Tangled work and disagreements

Our client had about twenty more or less tangled processes and the team spirit was described as bad. At the beginning of the process, we knew roughly what we were going to do, but we didn’t know how long the processes would take or how much resources we would need.

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We noted that job research would be the most appropriate analytics tool for this case. We also wanted to find out if any part of the process is one where materials or energy are wasted.

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Deeper than the surface

We started the job research on their product reception process as it was the first part of the warehousing process as usual. Reception is a process that deserves to be studied with emphasis – the success (or failure!) of reception affects every step that follows.

It took a couple of weeks to research and analyze this process, because although the process itself was easy, there were many work steps within it. The research method used was MOST-series of movement analysis and observational research method. We studies each individual word step and observed how many disturbances, interruptions and expectations there are during the average working day.

Next, the stock transfer and shelving processes as well as the collection, packaging and shipping processes were studied. During the study, the working hours, ergonomic challenges and process bottlenecks typical of these processes were investigated.

The study revealed that the storage of the products was not optimal (according to the results of the ABC analysis produced). It was also found that the location and ergonomics of the workstations reduced productivity and safety.

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By increasing the efficiency of storage, a higher load factor for transport vehicles could be achieved and thus reduce the carbon footprint of the entire operation.

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Who fixes the errors?

After the work research, we started a process and method development project, during which the identified problem areas were corrected and, among other things, a new floor plan of the warehouse was created. The new placement streamlined operations and was less burdensome for employees.

Although the findings are also generally positive for employees, job research can cause people uncertainty and even fear. Habits and work are dismantled by a stranger. Therefore, transparency about what is done, how it is done and why it is done is essential for the success of the project.

Mutual trust engages employees in the project, giving them access to (often quite comprehensive) tacit information related to the job. Thus, in this case, too, the employees and their foreman were involved in the project. After a little hesitation at first, they were very enthusiastic about the project.

Overall, the project was a success and achieved many benefits from the perspective of both the company and its employees.

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Profitability increased by 12%, sick leave decreased as ergonomics improved and workload decreased, and occupancy of trucks increased.

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So, the focus was on doing the right things, at the right time and with the right amount of resources.

Ecology and productivity have represented opposite extremes for too long. In reality, future solutions must take care of the environment and business continuity through results-making. The movement of goods will continue to require materials and transportation, while the rush to reduce emissions is growing. However, increasing efficiency and environmental friendliness in logistics does not always require additional investments.

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Logistics is still full of unnecessary or inefficient work steps and methods.

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Our goal is not to waste but to do smarter. The best solutions are effective in minimizing the load from an environmental and resource perspective.

Loss in processes and Matti in the purse

People’s perceptual capacity is limited, and we do not always have time in everyday life to focus on developing activities. Our expertise is to dig from each customer’s processes opportunities to increase efficiency and reduce workload by using scientific methods.

We study work steps and methods accurately by observing, documenting, and interviewing employees. Based on these, we produce recommendations regarding i.e.

• Material use and recycling
• Operational efficiency and best practices
• Efficient and ecological hardware solutions

If necessary, we also produce recommendations for robotics, automation and technical tools. Our proposals have always taken into account the overall impact of the solution in terms of productivity and ecology. We want to be involved in building the logistics of the future that balances the needs of people and the environment with profitability and sustainable growth.

Our customers expect concrete actions from us – Do you dare to renew your business?

The fluency and the efficiency of work are still largely perceived through quantity. It is no wonder that a job search as a word is reminiscent of a consultant on duty with a stopwatch. Though time remains an important measure of fluency, job research bites deeper than the surface. It is a holistic development of working conditions, methods and processes for the best of employee well-being and workplace productivity.

Job research tools

The tool may include cameras, measurements, simulations, as well as interviews. The study of human activity and the understanding of way of working is a subtle and accurate study. An answer to the question ”How smooth is the work phase?” requires an answer also e.g. what the options are, why the current model has been chosen and whether all employees are working the same way. The method used in the work survey and the adequate level of accuracy must be assessed separately for each purpose.

I know how to do my job.

A professional is always an expert in his/her own work, but we tend to believe that we are well aware of what we do and why. However, this is not always the case – things are done in the most bizarre way possible, based on path dependence, lack of planning time due to urgency and sometimes even the fear that a new idea will not be accepted.

Effect of external stimulation on work efficiency

The blind spot in our own work efficiency is not quite small: according to research, each of our working days contains about 25% unplanned disruptions. One-fifth of the workday is therefore a response to external stimulation rather than something planned.

Job research is a systematic method of development, i.e. a tool for examining and analyzing the quality, efficiency and workload of work tasks and processes. Reducing workload, such as poor ergonomics or poor resourcing, results in well-being at work and reduced costs.
Pienentämällä kuormittavuutta, esimerkiksi huonoa ergonomiaa tai väärää resursointia, saadaan lopputuloksena työhyvinvointia ja pienentyneitä kustannuksia. In common sense, one thing done carefully at a time probably takes less time than fixing things and new accomplishments, but this law does not want to stay in our minds.

Errors are also made in a hurry, resulting in a loss of materials, resources or even the use of energy.

An efficient and streamlined process is thus also the best possible solution for the work phase from an environmental point of view.

The purpose of job research is to improve the productivity of companies as well as the efficiency and ecology of operations, and thereby profitability, competitiveness and continuity of employment. At the same time, the goal is to develop the work environment, working conditions, well-being at work and work content.

In connection with development activities, efforts must be made to improve the content and productivity of meaningful, varied and developing work. This creates an opportunity for the employee to develop in his / her own position and increase their skills for new jobs.