One of the oft-heard complaints from CNC shop owners is the amount of time it takes to train new hires on policies and procedures. Add to this taking your experienced employees away from producing parts to help train the new people, and your costs begin to add-up in a hurry.
There is, however, a way to make the process more efficient: By documenting the information new hires need to help them get started on paper or electronically, it can be easily passed along multiple times, thus significantly reducing manpower costs.
For this method to work effectively, however, the documentation must be thorough and easily understood. While this requires an investment of time up front, in the long term you’ll save time and money.
Here are a few guidelines for developing effective documentation:
- Determine the appropriate medium.
- In many cases the best documentation is step-by-step, written instructions with appropriate illustrations and/or photos to clarify procedures. For example, instructions on creating a new part program would include the steps to follow with screen shots of what the programmer will see on the control screen, plus photos of manual operations and machine movements.
- If the process is a complicated one, video may be an appropriate alternative to written instruction. A well-produced video provides a real-world look at how the steps are applied and what happens along the way.
- Combining written and video is a more powerful approach than either by itself. Just as some of us are right or left handed, we each have our own ways of processing new information. Therefore, combining written, verbal, visual and hands-on instruction is the most effective way to teach.
- Computers enable us to develop multi-media documentation that combines written, verbal and visual. Using laptops or tablets, employees can train right on the shop floor where they experience the procedures hands-on.
- Establish standards for all documentation. Regardless of the instructional media you choose, it’s best to establish a consistent format for documenting procedures. Otherwise each document will have variations that may inhibit learning. The best approaches are either to create a template into which text and images can be loaded, or to lay out strict guidelines. For example, you could decide to use a basic presentation format (Introduction, Body, Conclusion) with specific instructions for each part of the presentation. In the latter case, it’s best to work from an outline that keeps you focused.
- Use consistent wording. People can become confused if the terms used in one training document are different than those used in another. So use the most commonly accepted names for equipment, actions and processes every time. Additionally, be sure to provide specific information such as the precise type of material used to demonstrate a cutting technique, cutting tools used, etc.
- Don’t make training periods too long. As a society our attention span continues to become smaller and smaller. That’s why it makes sense to break down complex training topics into bite-sized pieces. Think in terms of taking the learner to a logical stopping point in a process and recapping what’s been covered so far. You might even insert a brief quiz that the learners can use to assess their own progress. If they answer the questions correctly, they can proceed to the next step. If not, they should go back and revisit the training to that point.
Educating employees is an on-going task, of course. And not every procedure lends itself to documentation. However, creating effective training tools like these can save your company considerable time and expense, as well as insure that all employees are on the same page.
Want to get the most out of CNC equipment? Your Torrance Haas Factory Outlet has the training and technical service to keep your shop running smoothly. Call (310) 381-0750, email: jphillips@haasfactoryoutlet.com, or visit www.haasfactoryoutlet.com.