Use Your Data — Know Your Business
Over the last 30 years, I have evaluated the operations of hundreds of manufacturing, processing, mining, and service organizations. Three things I have learned from that work: Companies know their business, but their knowledge is incomplete. They shoot targets, monitor KPIs, and compare their performance to their plans and budgets. But they don’t have time … Continue reading “Use Your Data — Know Your Business”
Help is on the way.
There is no such thing as a perfectly staffed shiftwork operation. Sure, there will be days when the number of people that show up is exactly the number of people that you need. It happens, but not often enough. What does a typical day or week really look like? The workload varies. This could be … Continue reading “Help is on the way.”
Where did all of the 8-hour shifts go?
In today’s work environment, compressed workweeks, telecommuting and competition for labor have conspired to make 8-hour shifts a vanishing breed. Twenty-five years ago, 8-hour shifts were everywhere. Today, they are an anomaly – especially in operations covering 24/7 in the United States. I stress the “United States” because our national labor laws allow for compressed … Continue reading “Where did all of the 8-hour shifts go?”
Staffing and Scheduling – The Compressed Work Week
This posting is the first in a series of posts that will examine the relationship between the schedule your employees are working and the number of people it takes to staff your operation. Today, I will focus only on a scheduling practice commonly referred to as a Compressed Work Week. A Compressed Work Week (CWW) … Continue reading “Staffing and Scheduling – The Compressed Work Week”
Staffing, overtime and your schedule
One of the most common and misunderstood issues surrounding schedules is the relationship between staffing, overtime and the schedule itself. The reality is that a schedule has no impact on the quantity of overtime your site is experiencing. Overtime is a function of (1) How much work is there to do and (2) How many … Continue reading “Staffing, overtime and your schedule”
Call Center Scheduling
There is a big difference between creating a shift schedule for a manufacturing plant and a call center. More often than not, manufacturing tends to have steady workloads throughout a shift. While there may be someday to day variations or even seasonality, these are relatively minor compared to what goes on at a call center. … Continue reading “Call Center Scheduling”
The FDA and Sanitation
Everyone in the food industry is rapidly becoming aware of the new sheriff in town. The FDA has vastly more authority than it did only a few months ago and it’s having an impact on how companies are looking at their sanitation scheduling and standards. (see the Food Safety Modernization Act). I have worked at … Continue reading “The FDA and Sanitation”
Shift Schedules for the Food Manufacturing Industry – how to eliminate overcapacity
Shift work – The more you learn about it, the more you find out how much you didn’t know. I have friends that know very little about what I do for a living.ย When I say “I evaluate, design and implement shift schedules,” they will respond with “Aren’t all shift schedules basically the same?” I … Continue reading “Shift Schedules for the Food Manufacturing Industry – how to eliminate overcapacity”
The Impact of Local Unemployment
More often than not, companies come to us when they are out of capacity.ย Overtime is high and the workforce is becoming tired.ย Absenteeism is leading to under-staffing and more overtime.รย This is the type of death-spiral that does not right itself unassisted. Improved shift scheduling can help.ย However, one component is often to bring … Continue reading “The Impact of Local Unemployment”
How will a new schedule impact your Employee Handbook?
Measure twice, cut once. This adage is as applicable to a schedule change as it is for those in the carpentry trade. Make one mistake and either be prepared to live with it or face the uphill battle of yet making another major change to your workplace. There are all types of pitfalls.ย You can … Continue reading “How will a new schedule impact your Employee Handbook?”