Standardised working

Standardised work ensures stable processes, consistent execution and a clear basis for improvement.

Symbol helps organisations to develop, record and structurally embed practical standards into daily working methods.

What is standardised work?

Standardised work describes the best way to perform a task or process. Process steps, work sequence, responsibilities, quality requirements and required time are determined by the employees themselves and then recorded in a work instruction, protocol or Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The approach involves three standard questions:

Is there a standard in place?
Is the standard used by everyone?
Is there a process to improve the standard?

Standardisation leads to less variation and therefore better quality. A good standardised work instruction describes how employees can act upon a deviation. This prevents everything from becoming too rigid.

without standards there can be no improvement

What are the principles of standardised work?

Standardised work consists of clear agreements on how activities are performed, recorded and improved. The standard makes it visible what the desired working method is and when it is deviated from.

1. Define standard

The working method is clearly described, up-to-date and accessible. Roles, steps, quality criteria and exceptions are recorded so that employees know what is expected and performance can be objectively assessed periodically.

2. Apply standard

The agreed standard is consistently applied by all those involved. Employees are trained, deviations are made visible and managers actively steer on compliance, discipline and a uniform execution of the process.

3. Improve standard

The standard is periodically evaluated and improved based on performance, deviations and experiences. Employees submit improvement proposals, after which changes are tested, established, communicated and sustainably embedded in the organisation.

How do you implement and secure standardised work?

Standardised work only has value when standards are not just recorded, but also used daily. Therefore, standards must be visible, understandable and applicable for the people who work with them.

Symbol develops standards together with employees on the shop floor. Existing working methods are analysed and translated into practical work instructions, checklists, visual standards or SOPs. Where instructions are fragmented or outdated, digitised interviews and AI support can help to structure process knowledge faster.

Within CIMM Level 1, standardised work is secured when standards are up-to-date, visible and applicable, employees work according to the same method and improvements are structurally processed.

View other elements in Level 1

Does your organisation need more standardisation?

Symbol helps organisations to develop standards that are not just in a manual, but are visible, practical and supported on the shop floor.

Schedule a meeting with a Lean expert