Assessment and Management Consulting Firm with a Strong Focus on Technology

"Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel"

- Socrates

Appleridge Technical Services Blog

Standardization

November 18, 2020 | Process Improvement

Often times we are asked "What is one thing I can do to help my business with the least amount of effort and the most return?" The answer is simple....Standardize!

What is Standardization?

According to Merriam-Webster the definition of Standardize is "to bring into conformity with a standard especially in order to assure consistency and regularity."

Why Standardize?

Standardization in any organization is key to growth and efficiency improvement. Standardization in any process guarantees results and eliminates surprises. For your staff standardization eliminates anxiety. Imagine an environment where you go through the day and always know what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. That is what standardization would do for you.

How do I Standardize?

Anyone can standardize. It is not as difficult as someone would believe.

  1. Knowledge: Standardization begins by first understanding your processes. It doesn't matter which part of your organization is being standardized you have to understand the current processes. You can do this many ways but our recommendation is to process flow each and every process you have.
  2. Prioritize: Once you understand your processes the next step is to prioritize areas for improvement. Through many of our projects we see the most success when we focus on a single area of improvement. This could be IT, Shipping, Receiving, Warehousing Operations, or even Finance. You need to determine which area of your business is going to bring you the most return.
  3. Identify: As you have worked through your process and prioritized which area you will start your standardization process in pay close attention to which specific operation will bring you the most return. That is where you focus your efforts to begin.
  4. Exceptions: Most organizations develop process around exceptions. You have to avoid this practice. Develop your processes to maximize efficiency. Develop contingencies around the exceptions.
  5. Expectations: As you develop your processes do it in a way that the results are expected. Results that vary from iteration to iteration are not indicative of standardization.
  6. Completion: See each functional area to completion. Introduce as many standard procedures as possible. Only be satisfied when you cannot find any further room for improvement.
  7. Repetition: Repeat this process to each functional area. The next area up is the one you have prioritized earlier.
  8. Never Settle: Once all functional areas have been completed start the process over. As you standardize and mold one area to another you will learn many things. What you learn will help you to revolutionize other areas of your business you previously thought complete. Never be settled with what you have.

Appleridge Technical Services, LLC is a consulting firm specializing in Assessments and Management Projects in the Technology and Operational spaces. We have a successful history working with Manufacturing and Distribution organizations throughout the United States.

For more information please email us at info@appleridgetech.com or give us a call at 330.503.4788

You can also schedule an appointment by visiting our Bookings Page

Categories