There are many ways to accomplish a task and then there is the best way. Organizations institute the practice of applying standard work to represent that belief. In everyday life, people navigate how to accomplish work in ways that reflect customer expectations. This moment in quality reflects on a day in the life of steering a loved one in a wheelchair and the course correction I received on how to best get them to their destination. A comparison to standard work as a lean tool in operational settings is explored. The findings magnify the view that quality is an enduring presence in our lives.

1. Introduction

Family trip with Mom. Large airport. There is staff that can do this, but I insisted on taking on this task. First time behind the wheel - the wheelchair to be exact. How hard can it be? I’ve seen this thousands of times as I maneuvered from point to point on foot. This time was different. Thank goodness for the helpful airport employee who saw me tense my shoulders across the way as I tried to “drive.” Squeeze - that puts it in motion! Release to stop! What? Squeeze – release? Got it. Oh, that’s much easier and almost effortless.

Then there is the elevator. Oh goodness, now I must compete with time… The Customer (passenger) is now talking. Back me in - you’ll see why when the elevator stops… Wow - lots of coaching from the sideline and the front (seat of the wheelchair). But both were right.

Immediately a light bulb came on. They were giving me an organic lesson for steering so I would not over work myself or injure my passenger or me… a reminder of the importance of standard work: the best way to complete a process.

An organization’s sustainability is no different. Managing attrition, lost time injuries, and competitiveness is driven by the degree to which we standardize, measure, and improve operations via the routine tasks performed to get things done [1]. In what ways does standard work contribute to critical to quality requirements and operational outcomes that build, grow, and sustain organizations and how can each of us leverage this technique in our day to day lives?

2. Purpose of Standard Work

Standard work is described as the best way to perform a process so that the product, part, or service is delivered right the first time based on customer requirements. Moreover, the order in which the process steps are to be completed and how long it should take to complete them [1]. These series of steps are identified, validated, and implemented in an expedient fashion and are expected to be adopted as a way of knowing [2]. As a result, a constancy of purpose, direction, and alignment among those performing the tasks occurs.

Standard work is also described as work instructions. Its establishment is grounded in multiple factors. For instance, what is the metric that is being targeted? In addition, integrate the expertise of the associates who will perform the task with the overall requirement this metric represents (safety, productivity, etc.). Lastly, the organization should authorize a lean champion or facilitator to lead the team in developing and evaluating the proposed standard work.

Taking these factors into consideration helps organizations leverage the benefits of this tool.

3. Benefits of Standard work

When considering the benefits of integrating standard work in processes, positive and consistent outcomes are expected. These outcomes are learning, interpersonal, and financial in nature.

First, the best way to perform tasks is identified and visualized. Standard work has achieved longevity across multiple industries because of how simple it is to show what the step is and what it should look like. This decreases the risk of ambiguity. As a result, confidence among operators develops which is transformed into performance outcomes such as productivity.

The simplistic approach to building, validating, and implementing standard work promotes inclusion and feelings of belonging. The process of standard work development typically is led by the manager of the process and facilitated by a lean practitioner with consultation and participation of a team of individuals directly impacted by the process.

Lastly, standard work that is maintained is a catalyst for continuous improvement and influences other departments and processes to adopt it. Moreover, the financial benefits such as cost avoidance, improved safety, and increased efficiency encourages leadership to support the efforts that promote a culture of finding the best way to perform tasks.

4. Applying Standard work

Recent literature provides information about the multi-step process in developing and using standard work and what it represents to various industries. Key points include getting alignment and support to address the need for standard work, observe the current state, collaborate with the process owner and the team in data collection, prepare the proposed standard work with the team, pilot the proposed changes, get change approval, store updated standard work, align on a plan to maintain the standard work.

Industry. Observe the current state first. Consult with those who work in the process. Deepen your understanding, if necessary, by constructing a SIPOC diagram. Consider the need for clear communication and organization’s capacity for change. Therefore, facilitating what is the best way to perform a task requires involvement from beginning to end and after the standard work is implemented.

Life. Standard work is not restricted to public and private sectors. Tasks in our day to day lives exist to keep us safe, productive, and feeling included and effective in our social interactions. The availability of assistance to help people get around large places like airports deserve the same attention to detail through work instructions that each of us should be aware of and use when we are in our personal spaces.

5. Conclusion

After reviewing the purpose and benefits of standard work, I am reminded that working smarter should always be a priority to preserve safety, time, quality, and costs. Often, we take for granted that those same principles we practice in the workplace are just as effective in our personal lives. Tools such as standard work exist to help us think about and act on how to maintain an environment that enables us to navigate day to day tasks in ways that maintains our well-being. On the return trip, I allowed the professionals to steer, and yes, I took notes.