What do you do if your operational planning is inefficient and you want to leverage technology?

Before investing in technology we need first to optimize our own processes by eliminating wastes in the process. Once processes are streamlined we then leverage the technology and apply the optimized processes through the system.

I think, If operational planning is inefficient &I want to leverage technology, the first step would be to assess current processes and identify pain points or areas for improvement. Once you've a clear understanding of where the inefficiencies lie, Then can explore different technology solutions that align with your specific needs & goals. This could involve implementing project management software, data analytics tools, automation platforms/communication tools to streamline operations &enhance efficiency. It's important to carefully evaluate &test these technologies to ensure they effectively address operational planning challenges. But,everaging technology is a continuous process of improvement,so be open to adapting & refining approach.

The first step before running out and buying technology, a manager should hit a pause button. Have we looked at our processes, but most importantly have we looked at the relationship management across the team? Once we have met with the team and can identify the actual deficiency, we can then seek the correct technology. Too many companies throw away millions buying the wrong technology, because they did not ask what is happening and why? I always say ask why 5 times, so you get the root cause of the problem and where the breakdown is located. I knew a company once that invested in a new accounting software which was to provide better reporting, but it cost more than one person salary and that much again to stay trained on it.

An important aspect to Operational planning is employee engagement/People. We can bring in all the nice technology but without onboarding and training your people, the process will always be found wanting/inefficient because most of the activities are people centred especially in the mining environment.

Diagnose inefficiency first! Here's a tech-powered plan: Identify bottlenecks: Analyze current processes to pinpoint slowdowns (e.g., manual tasks, data silos). Research solutions: Explore project management, automation, or data analytics tools to address those issues. Integrate strategically: Don't overwhelm yourself - choose one tool to tackle a key bottleneck first. Measure & adapt: Track performance after implementing the tool. Refine your approach or explore additional tools based on results. By taking a targeted approach, technology can streamline your operational planning and deliver real improvements.

Hire an expert with a proven track record in your field. Obviously if you feel/recognize that your operational planning is inefficient and you haven't been able to leverage tech, you don't have the expertise to make it happen, so you need someone that does know. Sit down with them, explain exactly what your objectives are and let a professional assist you and it's money well spent as it's an investment. One most always know what their limitations are and not be afraid to admit and confront them for the greater good of achieving success...

Muchas de estas soluciones pueden venir de las mismas personas que conforman el equipo, considero que son los primeros a quienes se debe acudir antes de buscar soluciones fuera de la organización. En mi experiencia con este tipo de oportunidades de mejora, la mejor solución ha sido siempre conversar con los mismos ejecutores del trabajo para pedirles sus opiniones y como ellos plantear las mejoras. Si se logra esa empatía, la solución se puede implementar con facilidad y no se sentirá impuesta. Este primer paso, no resta la posibilidad de buscar posteriormente la asesoría externa.

- Sorry, my comments exceeded your word limit. I would be pleased to supply them should you grant an exception. Clearly, someone’s planning was shortsighted. WP ??

Clearly define what needs to be accomplished. In your case, it’s reducing report generation time. Quantify your goal so you can track progress. Ensure your goal is realistic and attainable. Implement process improvements and automation. Align your goal with your overall objectives. Enhance efficiency and productivity. Set a deadline for completion. SMART goals provide a clear roadmap for success, making it easier to stay focused and track progress.

Identifying inefficiencies is just the start; setting clear objectives is pivotal. Once, we noticed a bottleneck in our process. Rather than just fixing it, we set objectives: to streamline operations, reduce errors, and boost productivity by 20%. We embraced technology, implementing a customized software solution. The result? Efficiency soared, errors plummeted, and we surpassed our goals. The key? Setting precise objectives aligned with tech integration, ensuring every step counted towards our vision.

When faced with inefficient operational planning, technology can be a game-changer. In a similar situation, I explored various tools to streamline processes. One key objective was to enhance communication across teams and departments. Research led me to project management software that offered real-time collaboration features, allowing teams to coordinate tasks efficiently. Additionally, automation tools were instrumental in reducing manual tasks, freeing up time for strategic planning. By leveraging these technologies, we not only improved operational efficiency but also enhanced overall productivity and decision-making processes.

Trouver de nouveaux outils est bien souvent la solution la plus facile et ne résout pas forcément tous les problèmes. Il faut privilégier les Feed back de ses équipes , utilisateurs et prestataires en premier lieu. Il faut impérativement identifier les freins , les blocages avant de trouver une ??solution miracle??.

Leveraging new technology to enhance operations is undeniably advantageous, but it has its challenges. To navigate these hurdles effectively, it's imperative to engage key stakeholders early on. By presenting the proposed technology to influential employees who possess the insight and drive to facilitate implementation, you not only secure their buy-in but also gain valuable perspectives. Consider piloting the technology with a test group to demonstrate its benefits. When stakeholders witness tangible advantages, their support becomes instrumental in ensuring successful implementation. Far too often, technological initiatives falter when imposed from the top down, underscoring the importance of inclusive and collaborative approaches.

Partindo para o estágio de ferramentaria, precisaremos ter bem claro o que precisaremos e nossas necessidades, desta forma n?o haverá o desgaste desnecessário de for?a de trabalho, assim pouparemos tempo e ganharemos em resultados. Com a vis?o preventiva e pro ativa, poderemos prever possíveis gaps, desta forma poderemos saber como agir ou saber onde poderemos colher recurso para sanar o problema.

Seek advice from technology experts or management consultants who can help you understand which technological solutions would be most suitable for your specific needs.

In my experience too many times we implement solutions to solve temporary problems. We implement so many things that we do not understand what is contributing to the results or failures. Implementing in phases helps you understand what is working and what is not. It’s difficult because you want to try new things but temperament is key to understanding if you should continue to pursue and what you should accept as “not working” to get you to your end game.

One of the biggest hurdles to this is the very human emotion of caution (even fear) when it comes to change, or just doing things differently. Conversely one of the most effective solutions to successful implementation is to empower your people with ownership of that change. It is relatively simple to encourage your team to recognise that “something must change”, but the best way to encourage them to fully get behind how that change happens is to have deep personal involvement in its design or implementation. Don’t inflict change on people, rather allow them to own and therefore take pride in using it to do better.

Introducing new technology in an organization is a strategic move that requires careful planning and execution. Successful technology adoption involves not only the technical aspects but also the human element. Involving team members early and addressing their concerns will contribute to a smoother transition.

Introducing new technology into operations should indeed be a gradual process. Rushing into full-scale implementation can disrupt workflows and overwhelm teams. From my experience, I've learned the importance of starting small, perhaps with a pilot project in a specific department or area. This allows for testing and fine-tuning before rolling out the technology company-wide. Moreover, providing adequate training and support to employees is crucial for successful adoption. By taking a phased approach, you can mitigate risks, address challenges proactively, and ensure a smoother transition to the new technology.

In my journey of rolling out new tech, I've found that a friendly, small-scale start is the way to go. Kick off with a pilot program—it’s like a tech test drive that lets your team get a feel for the gears. Collect their honest feedback, tweak as needed, and watch everyone warm up to the change. This approach not only smooths out the bumps but also builds a shared comfort and confidence as you gear up for a full-scale launch.

I have often found that when conducting operational planning the team leading the effort assumes that everyone understands the goals and the process. I find it helpful to spend some time reviewing the goals and reviewing the process we are using so that everyone understands. This is especially true when you are dealing with a cross-functional team. An operational level plan requires subject matter experts from a range of background - and they are probably not steeped in the planning process you are using. Reviewing the planning process - and discussing how the SMEs can take part in order to help craft a better plan is a best practice for me.

Como lo dije en el anterior capítulo, el equipo de trabajo debe participar de manera activa y permanente, esto hace que el sentido de pertenencia apoye el resultado. Pero, este modelo participativo debe ser también pedagógico, hacer crecer al equipo conjuntamente con el proyecto es porcentaje de éxito asegurado. Adicionalmente, si se les entregan herramientas del conocimiento con formación a la medida logran que la plataforma o la base sea mucho más sólida y con crecimiento progresivo al igual que el del proyecto

For technology to truly enhance operational planning, it's essential that your staff knows how to use it effectively. In my experience, providing comprehensive training and ongoing support is key. This ensures that employees not only understand how to use the technology but also grasp its potential impact on their workflows and responsibilities. Additionally, fostering a culture of continuous learning encourages staff to explore the capabilities of the technology and discover new ways to leverage it for improved operational efficiency. By investing in training and development, you empower your team to maximize the benefits of the technology and drive positive outcomes for your organization.

Abro um parêntese sobre treinar equipe. Penso que n?o adiantará treinar uma equipe, onde n?o há entendimento, vontade, interesse e comprometimento. Caso n?o haja essas atribui??es, n?o conseguiremos fazer com que uma equipe seja treinada e pronta para operacionalizar as atividades. O capital humano ainda é essencial para que possamos ter sucesso em nossa opera??o, mas para que tenhamos êxito, as empresas/líderes, precisar?o pensar e entender de pessoas.

It seems to me that often the tools are already established and in place and the operator just needs a refresher. Why reinvent the wheel? Check your operator headspace and timing first.

Continuously monitoring the progress and impact of technological solutions is paramount for sustained success. From my experience, regular evaluation allows for adjustments and optimizations to be made, ensuring that the technology continues to align with operational goals. Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) enables you to measure the effectiveness of the technology in real-world scenarios and identify areas for improvement. Moreover, gathering feedback from employees provides valuable insights into their experiences and any challenges they may be facing. By staying vigilant and adaptable, you can ensure that your technological solutions remain relevant and impactful in driving operational excellence.

Continuous monitoring is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of any technological solution. Start by identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) that directly relate to your objectives. Establish baseline values for each KPI. Continuously track KPIs over time. Use tools like dashboards or analytics platforms to visualize trends. Create feedback loops between your technology team and end-users. Gather insights from users’ experiences and adjust your solutions accordingly. User feedback can highlight areas for improvement. Be prepared to make adjustments. Technology is a dynamic field, and staying agile allows you to respond effectively to changing circumstances.

Continuous monitoring and optimization: Once the new technologies are in place, monitor their performance and be prepared to make adjustments as needed. Continuous optimization is essential to ensure that technological solutions continue to meet the needs of your organization over time.

Monitorar a evolu??o das escolhas é meu terceiro processo, pois é a forma de estabelecer fundamentos para a decis?o por continuar o caminho ou mudar a rota. Os outros pontos citados s?o meandros que podem ser suprimidos numa vis?o macro, reduzindo camadas de esfor?o para chegar ao resultado de forma mais ágil.

It is important here to manage success or failure. One of the two will happen and failure needs to be considered as a possible outcome. Nothing will burn your positive culture to the ground faster than trying to force implement a bad idea.

One aspect I'd like to emphasize is the importance of fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability within the organization. In my journey, I've witnessed how teams that embrace change and continuously seek ways to improve are better equipped to leverage technology for operational enhancement. Encouraging open communication and collaboration encourages employees to share ideas and experiment with new approaches. For instance, during a period of transition to a new technological solution, we initiated cross-functional brainstorming sessions where team members could voice their concerns and suggest potential solutions.

Technology, by itself, is rarely the silver bullet to the challenge your organization is facing. Without careful consideration of what the true challenge is, you run the chance of simply amplifying the challenge...creating more chaos, wasting resources, and moving further from the efficiencies you seek. Applying a singular technology solution should be the last COA taken by any organization.

We all employ staff to deliver an output. If you empower the staff to contribute to the output and they feel they have the ability to make a change you will be surprised by the outcome. Rather than base machines give your people the power to make the change.

Improving operational planning can be achieved by leveraging various technological tools and strategies. Project Management Software. Automation Tools. Data Analysis. Communication Platforms. Customer Relationship Management (CRM).

Operations planning inefficiency can be an extremely expensive mistake. When intending to laverage AI in minimisingthis inefficiency it is essential that: 1. It is stated Clearly what the desired outcome(s) are. 2. Study the problem correctly and be sure that the cause of inefficiency is within the planning not else where. 3. Formulate a diversified team with different but relevant skills, tallents and experiences. 4. Ensure that the Operations plans maximise the utilisation of AI solutions without allienating the Necessary Human touch that keeps your human personnel engaged and motivated.