How to Shape Your Culture for OEE?

The average factory today is working at just 60% of its potential capacity. That is according to a recent CB Insights research brief. Because of this, more and more manufacturers are choosing OEE to improve the efficiency of their production lines. But what they soon learn is that the implementation of an OEE software without the cultural change that drives it will not ensure the success they seek.

How to Shape Your Culture for OEE?

This article gives manufacturers an overview of some of the fundamental cultural changes that are necessary for OEE to be successfully integrated into the manufacturing process.

1. Choose a digital champion

A common challenge is that the workforce of many manufacturers finds it hard to change old production methods and switch from legacy systems. Unfortunately, these things stand in the way of successfully getting OEE working. Therefore new processes are needed that engage production operators with their work.

One of the best ways to do this is to assign a digital champion who guides the OEE implementation process. This step is essential if you want to build a culture of continuous improvement that is sustainable and long-lasting. The next step is laying the groundwork by involving everyone from the C-suite to the operator so you can start introducing what OEE means and what it entails.

More on this in Harvard Business Review: Making Process Improvements Stick

2. Introduce the concept of OEE

The company does not need in-depth knowledge of lean manufacturing principles to improve production processes using OEE. All that is required is a gradual introduction of a few key overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) concepts. The key metrics that your workforce needs to understand are:

• Availability (actual versus scheduled run time ratio)
• Performance (real versus the standard rate based on equipment design)
• Quality (ratio of good units versus total units produced)

While these three metrics often focus on processes and machines, they also deal with operator performance and their mindset. Consequently, cultural change should start with everyone examining old process methodologies in ways that do not put operators and the workforce in a defensive position.

If you want to introduce the concept of OEE at your organization in more detail, then you’ll find our article What is OEE helpful.

3. Help everyone understand why OEE is necessary

It’s natural for operators, managers, and the overall workforce to be resistant to change. The introduction of OEE must be presented as a net gain for them and for the company as a whole. The idea is to tap into operator and workforce knowledge by providing a way for them to give their input and insights.

This will pave the way for OEE by slowly introducing an analysis and refinement process. The workforce will drive this process instead of a top-down approach relying on mandates. By starting with the knowledge base and ideas from your workforce, manufacturers can avoid many of the cultural change management roadblocks that can happen with implementation.

4. Leverage workforce experience and knowledge

Your workforce has insights about potential changes that can eliminate technical, process, or mechanical bottlenecks and waste. And making them part of the process of discovery gives them a sense of ownership. This is also what kickstarts the process of information gathering and factory floor buy-in before even mentioning OEE.

Ownership of process improvements shows the workforce how their jobs become easier in ways that result in higher personal and business profitability. For example, the workforce can drive:

• The improvement process through downtime tracking and analysis.
• The development of an overall activity plan for improvements.
• Continual refinement of the activity plan. The created plan is a basis for management/employee meetings that focus on continuous improvements.

By creating a culture that encourages standardized feedback from the workforce is one of the most crucial aspects that ensures the long-term success of an OEE project. The reason for this is quite simple – it shifts the company culture to a continuous improvement mindset.

Start Your OEE Journey

The process of cultural change in a manufacturing environment geared towards OEE takes time. And that is why ideally, it must start long before the actual implementation phase. But it is important to start somewhere, acknowledging that the timing is never perfect.

By putting the workforce in the driver’s seat, manufacturers can make OEE a success that leads to operational and bottom-line improvements. And by leveraging the four concepts outlined in this article, you can make the journey more comfortable and effective.

Moving forward

It does not matter if you are making your first steps in your OEE journey or if you have already started monitoring OEE, our team can help you throughout the process. Don’t hesitate to contact us, if you have questions or if you want to try Evocon for free before committing financially.