Podcast subject: The Power of Standardised Work
Host: Philip Holt
Guests: Anthony Howarth, Catherine Wang, Adam Nicklin
Abstract: Standardised Work is a misunderstood subject, which can evoke feelings of work being made ‘robotic’, of stifling creativity, or being too time consuming to create and maintain.

In this episode I speak to three experts who can talk about how quite the opposite is true; that Standardised Work reduces the stress and conscious repetitiveness of work, providing the freedom and time to be more creative, and takes far less time than the constant fire-fighting and ‘heroics’ that non-standardised processes require.

We also talk about the importance of a ‘return to standard’ as the first step to problem solving, and of how standardisation of work requires ownership by the people who do the work. We finally discuss two important elements of Standardised Work, that of its place in Office / non-Manufacturing Processes, and the significance of Kaizen to Standardised Work.

Content:

• Introductions.
• What is Standardised Work?
• Why do we need Standardised Work?
• The organisational benefits of Standardised Work.
• The benefits to individuals of Standardised Work.
• What is ‘a Return to Standard’?
• What about SW outside of Manufacturing Processes?
• Kaizen and Standardised Work.
• Advice to anyone who wants to make a breakthrough in this area.