In lean management, a standard work combination sheet is a document that displays the process steps for one or several employees. It is used to show the optimal combination of human and machine work. The sheet includes information on the timing values between different steps of the process, including manual work time, walk time, and machine processing time. The data recorded on the sheet is analyzed to identify any significant waste or delays in the process, and can be used to help determine the direction the company needs to take to address these issues. The sheet can also be used to evaluate the performance of individual employees, such as identifying if someone is overburdened with tasks or underutilized. Let’s go in a little bit detail in the following.

Standardized Work Combination Sheet

A Standardized Work Combination Sheet is a document that provides an overview of the interactions and timing between different parts of the work process. It displays how the various timing values such as manual work time, walk time, and machine processing time, combine and interact with each other. The sheet is designed to capture key data that is relevant to the understanding of the workflow and timing of the process.

What you should record

The data for each individual operator working on the floor is recorded in the Combination Sheet, and then analyzed using various forms of analysis. This sheet is useful for identifying any significant waste in delays between separate process steps, and can provide a clear indication of the direction the company needs to take to address these issues.

The most important points recorded in the sheet are the time required for human and machine movement, all based on the Takt Time. The sheet can help the company quantitatively evaluate an individual worker's performance and identify if they are overburdened by their current tasks.

Additionally, it can also reveal if a particular employee could be utilized more effectively. Often, companies may not realize that one of their workers is underutilized, spending less time performing actual work than expected. By properly recording and analyzing data using relevant tools to standardize the working environment, all the information will be easily accessible.

Eliminate waste

The Combination Sheet can help identify and eliminate waste in the production process by observing data recorded on the sheet, such as the time operators spend waiting for machines to complete tasks, waiting for input from other machines, or waiting for other operators to perform their tasks.

While some waiting may be necessary and an inherent part of the work process, it can be challenging to distinguish between necessary and unnecessary downtime. The Combination Sheet provides a comprehensive understanding of the current state of the production process and an objective view of each individual's involvement.

The data collected from the sheet is well-suited for graphical representation and can be easily analyzed using visualization tools. It may be incorporated into the sheet itself or handled by another department. The most crucial aspect is that the data is collected and organized correctly, as it can always be processed later.

How accurate should it be

The level of precision required for timing measurements can vary depending on the nature of your organizations processes. In some cases, it may not be necessary to record times down to the last second, such as when processes typically take over ten minutes. On the other hand, if the organization relies on many small and fast-paced processes, it may be necessary to use external devices to measure time as it would be difficult for a human operator to keep up.

It is essential to ensure that all data is measured consistently, as this is what establishes the validity of the data for later analysis. It is not advisable to round off one part of the data set while keeping another precise as it can lead to statistical deviations that are challenging to explain.

So what does it mean?

Employees may initially be uncertain about their new responsibilities related to completing the Combination Sheet, but taking the time to provide guidance and training can lead to significant improvements in the overall efficiency of the organization. Standard work can bring about significant changes in a company, but it is important to be patient and provide clear instructions during the initial implementation process. It can be a challenging transition, which is why it is essential to be well-versed in all the tools and techniques involved.