You're struggling to convince your team about automation in Lean Manufacturing. How can you win them over?

Understanding the Resistance Before diving into strategies, it's crucial to identify the root causes of resistance. Common reasons include: Fear of job loss: Employees might worry about automation replacing their roles. Lack of understanding: They might not grasp the benefits or how automation fits into Lean principles. Concerns about quality: There might be doubts about the reliability of automated processes. Resistance to change: People naturally resist change, even if it's beneficial. Strategies to Win Them Over Once you understand the underlying issues, you can tailor your approach accordingly. Here are some general strategies: Educate and Communicate: Clearly explain the concept of automation and its role in Lean Manufacturing.

To win your team over to automation in lean manufacturing, focus on understanding and addressing their fears: Listen Actively: Hold open forums or one-on-one meetings to truly hear concerns. Educate: Provide clear information on how automation can enhance job security through upskilling, not replace jobs. Showcase Successes: Share case studies or pilot projects demonstrating successful automation implementations. Involve the Team: Engage workers in the planning and implementation process to make them feel a part of the change. Provide Support: Offer training and reassurances that there will be a transitional support system. Addressing fears directly builds trust and eases the adoption of new technologies.

I think two simple steps helps here. Step 1 : Communicate the vision or plan loud and clear. Remove the fear of job loss or resistance by communicating clearly what is in it for employee and organization. For employee its new technology to learn and opportunity to learn an new skill when moved to another job. For organization it helps to improve productivity and Quality thus attract more orders. Step 2 : Involve employees in the every stage of the implementation process by taking his/her feedback and provide necessary training to them on the new technology (do not keep employee isolated from change) Make employees embrace the change rather than resist and its the culture to develop!

When your team resists automation, it's crucial to address their fears directly. They might be anxious about job security or the complexity of new systems. Listen to their concerns with empathy. Change can be intimidating, but assure them that automation is meant to support and elevate their work, not replace them. Explain how it can handle repetitive tasks, freeing them up to focus on more creative and meaningful projects. For example, instead of manually sorting parts, they can now work on improving product quality or innovating new solutions. Emphasize that automation is a tool to enhance their skills and make their jobs more fulfilling and impactful.

1-Establish the business case； 2-Involve your team in the process； 3-Highlight the human-centric approach； 4-Provide training and support； 5-Pilot and demonstrate the benefits； 6-Foster a culture of continuous improvement； 7-Communicate openly and transparently； Remember, winning over your team requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses their needs, concerns, and aspirations. By involving them, providing support, and demonstrating the tangible benefits, you can create a collaborative environment where automation is seen as an enabler, rather than a threat, to their professional growth and the overall success of the organization.

Automation is not for "increasing efficiency"; this is the common miss-conception in the meta-physical (non reality based) domain of classical management. Automation should be used to maximize human potential, to help improve quality (when humans can't hold the quality specification) and to improve safety (hazardous / heavy tasks, etc.).

A well prepared business case, open communication and practical examples can help you win your team over to the idea of automation in lean manufacturing - Communicate openly about the benefits of automation and how it aligns with lean principles - Share tangible benefits such as reduced downtime or improved efficiency

To win your team over to automation in lean manufacturing, emphasize key benefits such as: Efficiency: Highlight how automation reduces time and waste, streamlining processes and boosting productivity. Quality: Point out the consistency and precision automation brings, leading to fewer errors. Safety: Emphasize improved worker safety by minimizing hazardous tasks. Cost Savings: Illustrate long-term cost reductions from decreased labor and material waste. Scalability: Show how automation supports easy scaling of operations. Best practices: Use data and case studies. Align benefits with team goals. Encourage open dialogue for concerns. Keep the focus on how these benefits directly address team pain points and objectives.

To win over regarding automation, detailed analysis by presenting case studies and metrics that show how automation reduces errors, streamlines processes, and increases overall efficiency is necessary. By directly linking these improvements to daily tasks and company success, we can make a clear connection between automation and our Lean objectives. On top of it, it's crucial to address how these changes can reduce repetitive workloads, allowing team members to focus on more strategic and value-added activities.

Uma coisa que achei útil, é a parte que fala sobre explicar e deixar muito claro todos os detalhes para equipe. Isso irá passar confian?a.

To win your team over to automation in lean manufacturing, emphasize targeted training. Begin with comprehensive sessions explaining the benefits, such as increased efficiency and reduced waste. Use real-world examples and case studies to illustrate success. Provide hands-on workshops to make the technology approachable. Offer continuous learning opportunities to address evolving needs and concerns. Encourage open dialogue and feedback to ensure the training is aligned with their experiences. By making training an ongoing process and tailoring it to their needs, you can ease apprehensions and build support for automation.

Um treinamento mais completo é realmente essencial para a transi??o tecnológica. No entanto, acredito que complementá-lo com um plano de desenvolvimento contínuo poderia potencializar ainda mais os resultados. Manter a equipe constantemente atualizada e motivada pode fazer uma grande diferen?a na integra??o e aceita??o de novas tecnologias."

Nós estamos juntos com vocês, sei que é diferente de tudo que vocês já viram, mas vamos treiná-los e capacitá-los para essa nova etapa. O nosso intuito é fazer com que o trabalho seja mais produtivo e prazeroso para todos. Sei que teriam dificuldades, porém com treinamento e dedica??o vamos conseguir vencer esses novo desafio.

Oferecer treinamento abrangente é uma estratégia eficaz para aliviar as preocupa??es com a automa??o. Garantir que sua equipe esteja equipada com as habilidades necessárias n?o apenas facilita a transi??o, mas também demonstra o compromisso da empresa com o crescimento profissional de seus colaboradores. Refor?ar a confian?a da equipe, ter as pessoas certas nos lugares certos e gerir de forma eficaz as competências s?o passos cruciais para o sucesso da automa??o

To ease concerns about automation, offer thorough training to your team. Ensure they know they'll receive the skills needed to work effectively with new technologies. This training prepares them for the transition and shows your commitment to their professional development. When team members feel confident handling automated systems, they’re more likely to support the change. By investing in their growth and making them proficient with the new tools, you build trust and enthusiasm for the automation process.

Recentemente, realizei um workshop Lean nas plantas da empresa onde trabalho, com foco na redu??o de desperdícios nas linhas de produ??o de ?nibus e na diminui??o da ociosidade. Utilizando a metodologia Lean e trabalhando com uma equipe multidisciplinar, conseguimos alcan?ar uma significativa redu??o de custos para a empresa. Atualmente, estou escrevendo um artigo detalhando este trabalho e aguardando os resultados completos da iniciativa.

To win your team over on automation in lean manufacturing, sharing success stories is vital. Focus on: Relevance: Share stories from similar industries or processes. Metrics: Highlight clear improvements in efficiency, quality, and cost. Visual Aids: Use before-and-after charts and videos. Credible Sources: Cite reputable companies or case studies. Team Involvement: Show how teams like theirs embraced automation and succeeded. Realistic Goals: Present achievable short-term wins. These practices create a compelling narrative, emphasizing practical, relatable benefits and fostering buy-in.

Para estimular a cultura Lean, é importante mostrar ao time modelos implementados em empresas do mesmo segmento, ou até mesmo com processos similares.No conceito Lean, n?o basta ver, é preciso enxergar, sendo assim, é importante aprender no gemba a identificar os desperdicios. A demonstra??o dos beneficios obtidos por empresas que já implementaram ajuda a gerar o engajamento necessário que a cultura lean precisa para funcionar.

Success stories are one way we can provide benefits and confidence of automation in lean manufacturing. Visit to developed and developing organization who are focused in automation will help to successfully implement automation in your organization too.

Sharing success stories from organizations that have successfully implemented automation in Lean Manufacturing can be highly convincing. When your team hears about real-life examples of how automation has transformed similar operations, it can dispel doubts and spark enthusiasm. Highlight stories where automation led to significant improvements in efficiency, error reduction, and product quality. Use these examples to showcase the positive outcomes and long-term benefits experienced by others. This approach not only illustrates the potential of automation but also provides a tangible vision of its impact, making the transition seem more achievable and beneficial.

To encourage feedback and gain your team's support for automation in lean manufacturing: Create Open Channels: Establish anonymous suggestion boxes, regular one-on-one meetings, and team huddles. Active Listening: Show genuine interest in their concerns and ideas. Acknowledge Contributions: Publicly recognize valuable feedback. Actionable Steps: Implement feasible suggestions promptly. Transparent Communication: Share the impact of their feedback on decision-making. Feedback Loop: Continuously update the team on progress and outcomes. These practices foster a culture of trust and collaboration, crucial for successful automation adoption.

Sometimes the automation engineer does his job according to the project but, and in the factory problems appear when the machines goes into production, reducing drastically the "OEE". That is why feedback is very important to make continuous improvements.

Encouraging feedback is a powerful way to engage your team in the automation process. Invite them to share their ideas and concerns about the new systems. This approach helps address specific issues and makes them feel valued and included in the decision-making process. When team members have a voice in how automation is implemented, they’re more likely to embrace the change and commit to its success. By involving them early on and listening to their input, you foster a sense of ownership and collaboration, which can significantly enhance the effectiveness of the transition.

Encourage Feedback Strategy: Create open channels for feedback. Benefits: Shows employees their input is valued and considered. Tactics: Suggestion boxes, one-on-one meetings, team huddles, publicly recognize contributions.

La acción más importante a la hora de implementar un proyecto o cualquier otra cosa que esté en la mente de la organización es la retroalimentación. La metodología que me ha servido bastante en las organizaciones que he laborado es BEST (por las siglas, Behavior, Environment, Seek, Traje Action), ya que, ademas de que se da feedback de manera asertiva, este modelo procura crear un ambiente de confianza con el colaborador, y con ello, hacer que este, se comprometa a generar el cambio necesario.

Pilot Programs Strategy: Implement pilot programs to demonstrate benefits in a controlled, low-risk environment. Benefits: Builds confidence and buy-in through real-world results. Tactics: Start small, showcase increased efficiency and reduced waste, gather feedback for adjustment.

One time I make an exercise with Lean manufacturing and with no lean manufacturing, they saw the result and they were convinced.

Pilot programs can effectively win over your team by offering a controlled, low-risk environment to demonstrate the benefits of automation in lean manufacturing. By starting small, you can showcase real-world results, such as increased efficiency and reduced waste, allowing team members to see firsthand the value and potential of automation. These programs also provide opportunities for feedback and adjustment, ensuring that the final implementation is well-tailored to your team's needs. Success in pilot projects builds confidence and buy-in, making broader adoption smoother and more accepted.

Um piloto bem-sucedido pode criar um efeito dominó bem positivo, onde os ganhos iniciais incentivam uma ado??o mais ampla e motivada da automa??o.

Its a common scenario when implementing Lean is: - 15% of people support the change (Yes) - 70% are undecided (Maybe) - 15% resist the change (No) To address this, focus on: - Training the 70% (Maybe) on technical aspects of Lean - Utilizing the 15% (Yes) as examples and champions to influence the undecided group - Developing behavioral training for the 15% (No) to address their concerns and resistance In the first behavioral training session, you'll likely find that 85% (Yes and Maybe) are now on board. This cycle of training and implementation continues, gradually increasing adoption of Lean tools and principles.

Lo más importante es no dejar a la planta abandonada, predicar con el ejemplo y ser el primero en sufrir todas las inclemencias de la implantación. Es un grave error lanzar el proyecto y no tener contacto real con la planta

In an increasing interconnected, global, dynamic, and diverse workplace landscape, the idea of doing something new, including automation techniques, and pushing the bounds of future capabilities, is not an easy task. New efforts often require extraordinary time invested to go against the grain and tradition through “rolling up your sleeves” and just “putting in the hard work.” However, this journey promotes more futuristic and advanced capabilities. The significant time investment in new technology, technical details, data, and (most importantly) the people, is (by far) worth all of the immense struggles in the end. Progress isn’t easy - but it’s worthwhile. “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” - Steve Jobs

Automation is often met with resistance and we often think of "Champions" as those in management or budget leadership who empower the initiative. But even more important are individuals who are key stakeholders or on the receiving end of this future project's functions - so it's important to identify and engage influential employees that could be advocates but ideally be thought of as mentoring YOU on the risks, tips, resistance and ideas that are rarely obtained in larger groups or public settings. It's important to be transparent and sincerely discuss the rationale behind the automation, even if it could mean job changes or reductions.

Caterpillar exemplifies an effective approach to alleviating team concerns about automation in Lean Manufacturing by providing continuous support through dedicated help desks and peer mentors, ensuring smooth operations and maintaining employee confidence. Caterpillar also promotes continuous learning and career development by investing in various programs and tools. In 2023, over 7,700 employees participated in professional development sessions on diverse topics, emphasizing experiential learning to help employees build necessary skills and advance their careers. This comprehensive support and focus on development help promote acceptance of automation and facilitate change management.