What do you do if your industrial engineering team is not performing at its best?

In industrial engineering, resource constraints and misaligned goals hinder performance. For example, production focuses on material movement, while IE targets broader operational inefficiencies. Aligning goals, fostering collaboration, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement are crucial. IE must empower departments with skills and tools for independent problem-solving to drive sustainable change and organizational success.

When assessing a problematic situation, one of my go-to tools has always been MBWA, which stands for Managing by Walking Around. It's a management style where leaders actively engage with employees by physically moving around the workspace, observing operations, and interacting with staff. This approach fosters communication, builds relationships, and allows leaders to gain firsthand insights into the organization's dynamics and challenges. MBWA promotes transparency, boosts morale, and enables leaders to address issues promptly, leading to improved teamwork and productivity.

You need to be clear on roles and responsibilities. I has once a situation with a team member that did not perform according to agreed goals. Hence I implemented a frequent 1:1 and identified with the person a clear goal and milestone plan what to achieve by when and how the results benefit the overall organization. This has been a structured way forward including open communication and feedback.

Quando uma equipe de engenharia industrial n?o está alcan?ando seu melhor desempenho, a abordagem adotada deve ser baseada em três pilares: comunica??o, capacita??o e motiva??o. Primeiramente, promove-se uma comunica??o aberta para identificar quaisquer obstáculos ou desafios que possam estar impactando o desempenho. Em seguida, investe-se na capacita??o da equipe, oferecendo treinamentos e recursos para desenvolver habilidades necessárias. Por fim, busca-se manter a motiva??o da equipe alta, reconhecendo e recompensando seu trabalho, além de estabelecer metas claras e realistas para inspirar o progresso.

Schedule 1-1 to your team, schedule team meetings to know what is going on. Share your experiences/site examples and how did you got out of that situations. Hear their suggestions, ask questions driving deeper answers coming from each of the team. Know your team more through team buildings/brainstorming activities. Offer trainings and lay down your plans for them.

Use analytical tools and methodologies to dig deeper into the root causes of performance issues. Employ techniques such as Pareto analysis, process mapping, or regression analysis to identify patterns, trends, and correlations within the data. For example: Through Pareto analysis, the industrial engineering team identifies that the majority of defects in the manufacturing process are stemming from a few specific components. Further analysis reveals that these components are not properly calibrated, leading to variations in product quality.

Na análise de dados uso varias técnicas, como diagrama de espinha de peixe e analise SWOT, com estas analise é possível um melhor interpreta??o dos dados, e com isso centrar e orientar a equipa para um melhor desempenho.

Given the complexity of the situation, my approach would involve thorough data gathering to understand and diagnose the problem accurately. Depending on the root cause identified, I would then proceed with appropriate steps. If there are any hindrances to the team's progress or success, such as communication barriers, skill gaps, resource limitations, or misalignment of processes, I would address each as actionable items. By setting SMART goals for each issue addressed and regularly checking in with team members will ensure sustained success. Drawing from my experience, I believe a combination of effective team communication and a data-driven approach will be key to resolving the challenges faced by the team.

Finden Sie heraus, wo die Schwachstelle liegt, wo das Problem liegt, versuchen Sie, die Schwachstelle zu identifizieren. Mit der Eliminierungsmethode bis zu Fehlerstelle kommen. Informieren Sie alle im Team über den Fehler und beseitigen Sie die Fehlerursachen...

"What gets measured gets done" underscores the importance of quantifying objectives in order to achieve success. When specific metrics are established to gauge progress, individuals and teams are more likely to focus their efforts on achieving those measurable goals. By providing clear benchmarks and indicators of success, measurement serves as a guide for prioritizing tasks, allocating resources effectively, and monitoring progress. Without the ability to quantify outcomes, it becomes challenging to assess performance, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately drive meaningful results. Thus, measuring performance not only facilitates accountability but also enhances productivity and ensures that goals are accomplished efficiently!

Based on the findings from the data analysis, formulate a detailed action plan outlining specific strategies, objectives, tasks, and timelines for improvement. Ensure that the action plan addresses both immediate concerns and long-term goals. For example: The industrial engineering team creates an action plan that includes initiatives such as implementing a comprehensive training program for all employees, establishing clear communication protocols between shifts, and conducting regular equipment maintenance checks to address the identified issues.

Execute the action plan systematically, allocating resources, delegating responsibilities, and monitoring progress closely. Provide necessary support and guidance to team members throughout the implementation process. For example: The industrial engineering team schedules training sessions for all employees, assigns dedicated staff to oversee communication between shifts, and implements a preventive maintenance schedule for critical machinery. Regular check-ins are held to ensure adherence to the plan and address any challenges that arise.

When implementing an action plan, setting realistic goals is crucial! It ensures that expectations align with actual capabilities and resources. Unrealistic goals can lead to frustration, delays, and even failure to achieve objectives. Using a Gantt chart or timeline helps track progress by visually representing tasks, timelines, and dependencies. It provides a clear roadmap, allowing for better resource allocation, identifying potential bottlenecks, and adjusting schedules as needed to keep the project on track. This visual representation enhances communication among team members, fosters accountability, and facilitates timely decision-making, ultimately improving the chances of successful plan implementation.

While not exclusive to industrial engineering, as a leader you have a responsibility to uplift your team, praise quality input, and recognize achievements that helped you achieve your goals. In my time in industry I have found it necessary to give praise during all aspects of a project to build up the confidence of my team members, especially if recent performance has been lackluster. Excellent ideas during planning get shared with the team & key stakeholders. High performers during execution periods get praised after we're on track to meet goals & rewarded after the conclusion of the project in a suitable manner. At a project's conclusion, the highest performers' supervisors need to be made aware of their successes by you, the team lead.

Acknowledge and reward team members for their contributions and achievements in implementing the action plan. Recognition can come in various forms, including verbal praise, monetary rewards, additional responsibilities, or career advancement opportunities. For example: The industrial engineering team implements a recognition program where employees who demonstrate exceptional performance in adhering to the new protocols and contributing to improved outcomes receive public recognition during team meetings and may be eligible for bonuses or promotions.

Conduct periodic reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented strategies, identify areas for further improvement, and make necessary adjustments to the action plan. Encourage open feedback and reflection among team members to foster a culture of continuous improvement. For example: The industrial engineering team regularly reviews performance metrics, conducts post-implementation audits, and solicits feedback from employees to assess the impact of the action plan. Based on these evaluations, adjustments are made to refine processes and address emerging challenges proactively.

As you mentioned at the top of the article There are several steps you can take: 1. Identify the Root Causes. 2. Communicate Expectations. 3. Provide Training and Development. 4. Provide support and resources to help the team overcome challenges and obstacles. 5. Recognize and Reward Success.

First of all, need to do root cause analysis where is the problem. After find out the problem, need to know why this problem.Then need to focus about how can we overcome from this type off problem. Need to take extra care & proper monitoring at weak point.

Effective communication between team members and leadership is vital for successful plan implementation. Clear communication ensures understanding of roles, responsibilities, and objectives, reducing ambiguity and misunderstandings. A feedback loop enables valuable insights from team members and guidance from leaders, fostering collaboration and achieving objectives.

Se meu time n?o estivesse atingindo o seu potencial máximo, eu adotaria uma abordagem criativa para impulsionar seu desempenho, como: uma "Maratona da Engenharia", um "Dia de Inova??o", um programa de "Intercambio de Conhecimentos", um desafio "Escape Room" e um "Dia do Reconhecimento da Criatividade". Essas iniciativas promovem a inova??o, criatividade e colabora??o, o que contribui para impulsionar o desempenho do time.

Comunica expectativas claras: Asegúrate de que el equipo entienda claramente cuáles son los objetivos y expectativas del proyecto. Esto incluye plazos, estándares de calidad, roles y responsabilidades de cada miembro del equipo.