Unlocking Potential: The Power of Standardisation in Improvement

Improvement Begins with Clarity: Why Standardisation is Key

You’ve heard it before: you can’t improve what you can’t measure. But let’s take that a step further. It’s not just about measurement; it’s about having a clear starting point. Think of improvement as a journey. If you jump in your car without a map, you might drive around aimlessly, burning fuel and getting nowhere. That’s exactly what happens in our businesses when we lack standardisation.

At City Skills, we live by the wisdom of Masaki Imai, who said, “It is impossible to improve any process until it is standardised.” This philosophy isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the bedrock on which we’ve built our approach to continuous improvement.

What Does Standardisation Really Mean?

Standardisation is about creating a uniform approach to tasks and processes. It may seem a bit tedious at first, but trust me, it’s anything but boring. Picture this: when you standardise your work, you’re essentially providing yourself with a clear reference point. You can:

Identify what’s working and what’s not: When everything runs through the same lens, it’s much easier to pinpoint successes and failures.
Spot hidden issues: Many problems lurk in the background, waiting to trip you up. Standardisation helps to shine a light on them.
Create a foundation for innovation: With a solid base, you can think outside the box and explore creative solutions without losing your grip on the essentials.

Standard Work and Creativity: A Surprising Duo

Now, you might think that standard work sounds like it would stifle creativity. But I believe it does quite the opposite. Consider it the “before” snapshot needed to launch your improvement journey. When you know what you’re working with, you can explore new frontiers with confidence.

Instead of guessing and hoping for the best, you’re navigating with clarity. Improvement without a standard is akin to sailing without a compass. It can quickly turn into a wild goose chase, leaving your team frustrated and directionless.

Have you ever felt lost at work, trying to improve a process that seemed to have no starting point? I certainly have. A few years back, I was tangled in a web of overlapping tasks—everyone doing a bit of everything, but no one really owning anything. Once we set clear standards, the fog lifted, and the path forward became so much clearer. The journey of improvement became not just feasible, but exciting.

Why Does This Matter for Your Organisation?

So, what steps are you taking to standardise processes in your organisation? The approach you decide on could be a game changer. Reflect on your teams. Is there clarity? Do your colleagues know exactly what’s expected of them?

Here are some tangible steps you can begin to implement:

Document key processes—write them down, then share them widely.
Encourage feedback and adapt—get your team involved in refining these standards.
Regularly review and update—what worked yesterday might need tweaking to keep up with new challenges.

Through these steps, you’ll begin to build a culture of standardisation that empowers your teams to continually improve, innovate, and, dare I say, thrive.