Paul’s Random Ramblings

Post moved from bluepencil.com.au to ensure it stays online.

Has your maintenance team been set new targets and goals for this year that you do not know how to achieve? Do the targets require a large step change in performance levels or a major change in direction? If so, you are not alone. Research shows that this is a difficult issue that many asset intensive businesses’, teams and engineers struggle with and avoid taking positive action until it is too late!

One way to get past this hurdle is to focus on the maintenance processes needed to achieve the targets and not focus on the goals themselves. Why would you do this, you might ask, surely it is the goal that has to be achieved? Well no; there is sound research that shows that focusing solely on the targets can actually hinder your ability to achieve them. Change in performance ultimately comes from a change in process. Understanding what needs to be done differently, or more efficiently is the first step to implementing improvement. ie focus on perfecting the process, and the results will take care of themselves. How can you achieve a process focus?

• Establish what changes to existing or new processes are required. This is a great opportunity to get your team involved and grow ownership,
• Test and implement the new and modified processes. Use this as a chance to involve any employees that were not directly involved in the development of the processes,
• Make sure you have Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in place that match the new processes and allow you to measure progress towards your targets. Remember the old adage “you cannot manage what you don’t measure”,

Some factors that should be consider when focusing on the process:

• You need to be realistic about the velocity of your progress towards achieving goals and targets and how this will be impacted by the pace at which you can implement the required processes,
• You still need your goals and targets so that you know where to centre your effort and attention.
• You can control the process you use but not the targets.

For help with achieving your targets and goals, process mapping and improvement and maintenance KPI measurement please contact the experienced team at asset capability management to discuss how we can assist you.

Picture Credit: Michael Jastremsk