3rd Apr 2024
Office waste walk 1 – practical first step
Emily, Michael, Sarah, John – discussion series
Sarah, Emily, Michael, and John recently conducted a waste walk in their office area, armed with their newfound knowledge of the eight wastes. As they gather to discuss their observations, it’s evident that their rose-tinted glasses have been shattered, and they now see the reality of waste lurking in various forms around them.
“I couldn’t believe how much waste we found during the waste walk,” Sarah begins. “From excessive inventory piled up in the storage room to unnecessary motion waste as employees constantly shuffle between desks sharing basic equipment, it’s clear that there’s room for improvement.”
Emily nods in agreement. “Absolutely. And don’t even get me started on waiting waste. Just this morning, I had to wait for an email approval from a colleague before I could proceed with a project. It’s frustrating how these delays slow down our productivity.”
Michael chimes in, “I noticed over processing waste as well. We print out multiple copies of reports that could easily be digitised, leading to unnecessary paper waste and wasted time sorting through stacks of documents.”
John furrows his brow. “And what about defects waste? I’ve seen countless errors in our data entry, leading to rework and delays in delivering projects to clients. It’s not just a waste of time and resources but also damages our reputation for quality.”
As they reflect on their observations, the group acknowledges the importance of taking action to address these wastes and improve efficiency in their workplace.
“We need to start by raising awareness among our colleagues about the eight wastes and the impact they have on our productivity,” suggests Sarah. “Educating everyone on how to identify and eliminate waste can empower employees to take ownership of process improvements.”
Emily nods in agreement. “And we can implement visual management techniques, such as kanban boards or 5S, to streamline workflows and reduce waste. By organising our workspace and standardising processes, we can minimise motion waste and improve overall efficiency.”
Michael adds, “Let’s also prioritise continuous improvement projects aimed at tackling specific wastes identified during our waste walk. By implementing small, incremental changes, we can make a big difference in reducing waste and optimising our operations.”
As they conclude their discussion, Sarah, Emily, Michael, and John feel inspired and motivated to lead the charge in driving continuous improvement initiatives in their workplace. Armed with their newfound knowledge and a shared commitment to eliminating waste, they are confident in their ability to transform their office area into a leaner, more efficient environment.
