________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If your people are constantly drowning in small tasks and busy work , there is no time for innovation or a focus on the big picture
innovation doesn ’ t have to be expensive .
This can be accomplished with a simple study on individuals ’ and departments ’ time investment into improving processes . Once you ’ ve established a time study that measures the efficient use of time , it ’ s a natural next step to identify your first small innovation projects . Tackle those few projects , and then determine how much time is saved . That allows more time to be dedicated to new innovation projects . Manufacturers will begin to see how those innovation projects allow the company to make more product with the same or better quality in less time .
Common obstacles to innovation
With thousands of components and processes required to create highquality products , the complex nature of manufacturing can create challenges for manufacturers who want to innovate . Every component is a highly engineered and specific product , from gigantic motors all the way down to five cent O-rings .
From a documentation standpoint , the complexities required can be massive undertakings . Driven by safety standards in various industries , the reporting burden is wildly complex . Without a simplistic process for documentation , this can be a hurdle to innovation and automation .
Another obstacle manufacturers face with regard to innovation is mindset - particularly with the seasoned manufacturing veterans . Experienced workforce has been doing things the same way for decades and can typically be slow to embrace change . By placing veterans in roles in which their wisdom and tribal knowledge can be leveraged is often a way to address this challenge when new innovations are introduced to antiquated manufacturing processes .
Many companies are addressing that aging workforce dilemma by empowering the younger generation to enter the workforce with opportunities to innovate while learning from the more seasoned workers through mentorships and apprenticeships .
What does innovation look like ?
Innovation should happen in small , incremental steps . The small wins become huge , while failures are not costly or detrimental . For example , many factories have automated their inventory management processes . A digital vendor managed inventory ( VMI ) platform can be implemented in a weekend without disrupting production . A simple solution like RFID smart labels creates immediate results - like saving time in generating purchase orders , eliminating the human time required to count inventory , and providing granular consumption data that allows manufacturers to carry lean inventories without the possibility of stockouts .
The more innovative factories have data readily available to everyone . Another simple innovative win can result from using monitors and displays to track production and workflow . Huge LED screens on the manufacturing floor are visible to everyone and share real-time data on where various projects are , how they are progressing , and when they are completed . Anytime a factory can put information in workers ’ faces and at their fingertips to make their jobs easier , more efficient , and more productive provides an innovative win that creates extra time without sacrificing quality or requiring a huge monetary investment .
Another small but impactful innovative win
12