Standardized Work

Contents    0.1 Guidelines for Creating a Standardized Work Document    0.2 Guidelines for Maintaining a Standardized Work Document

Standardized Work (SW) is a document that precisely outlines the description of each step required to complete a certain task. The document also captures the cycle time for each task, minimum level of inventory required as well as the classification of each task step as "value added" or "non value added". A SW document describes the most efficient way to process a certain task at any given point in time, and forms the baseline for process improvement.

Click here for a sample SW format

Guidelines for Creating a Standardized Work Document

1. Map the high level process
2. Create the SW document (excel or word format) detailing each step/ activity in a sequential format
3. Gemba the process to gain a better understanding of the process
4. Refine the SW document based on observations from the gemba walk
5. Publish the SW document

Guidelines for Maintaining a Standardized Work Document

1. The SW document is a "living and breathing" document
2. Data on cycle time should be collected on a continuous basis; the frequency and sample size will depend on the scale of your operations
3. Data collected must be analyzed on a continuous basis. Data collected can show:
• Number of Value Added/ Non-Value Added tasks in a process
• Total cycle time split by task/ activity
• Time spent on Value Added/ Non-Value Added tasks
4. The SW document should be updated and published as soon as a modification has been made to a process
5. The document must be revised regularly (weekly, monthly, etc.)
6. Gemba walks must be conducted on a regular schedule