Work instructions
(paper-based)
The not even so common classic: everything that needs to be done is written step by step on one (or more) sheets of paper. The worker takes the appropriate paper for their work order and works through it. However, paper doesn't highlight errors during processing or validate measured values. However, paper does provide space for notes that can be evaluated afterwards.
Digital work instructions
Digital documents form the first stage of digital work instructions. Whether Excel, PDF or Word - everything that used to be on a sheet of paper can now be made available in the form of a file on an end device. However, the documents themselves are just as static as traditional work instructions and take a lot of time to create, version and follow up.
Digital work instructions via worker guidance system
The optimum version of digital work instructions comes from a digital system such as a worker guidance system. Here, instructions can be easily created and versioned, delivered in line with qualifications, prepared for error-free processing and automatically documented. When it comes to efficiency and quality-assured work, there is no way around digital work instructions in a worker guidance system.
1.
Digital work instructions = less effort for versioning and distribution
One of the most important reasons for digital work instructions from a worker guidance system is the simple versioning and paperless distribution of your documents from a central location. You can make the updated work instruction immediately available at the touch of a button.
This ensures smooth production processes and efficient document management and ensures that no outdated instructions are in circulation. You can also easily distribute the digital work instructions in other languages and to other locations to ensure company-wide standards.
Your employees can rely on automatically being provided with the right information at the right time and in the right place. Time-consuming reconciliations are eliminated and job satisfaction increases.
Overview of the data with work instructions in weasl
2.
Digital work instructions make it easier for your employees
Mistakes often happen due to a lack of clarity and a loss of concentration. If you have to work your way through long documents or “scroll through” tables, it is easy to overlook or forget something.
With digital work instructions, you can reduce extensive or complex work instructions to a presentation of the next process step. This ensures better structuring of the work instruction itself and reduces the mental workload of your employees. You can also incorporate process blocks at critical points to ensure that errors are effectively avoided. This enables your workers to work faster, more efficiently and without errors.
Intuitive, error-free work thanks to work instructions from a worker guidance system
3.
Digital work instructions provide guidance in line with qualifications
The way in which something is explained has a significant impact on your employee's performance. Inexperienced workers need more detailed instructions and information compared to their experienced colleagues.
While your workers have to prepare all the information themselves with conventional work instructions, the digital work instructions from a worker guidance system provide them with the appropriate level of detail without any further intervention.
This is particularly useful for training or familiarization with new processes. On the one hand, digital work instructions save time here, and on the other, they make it easier to deploy employees flexibly. With digital work instructions, even inexperienced employees can carry out more complex processes reliably.
Work instructions in weasl guide employees according to their qualifications
4.
You increase the informative value of your work instructions
Both paper-based and classic digital work instructions in the form of Excel or PDF are limited in their display options. With digital work instructions from a worker guidance system, you can improve the clarity of your descriptions.
In addition to images, videos and PDF documents, you also have the option of integrating 3D models, Excel data or CAD drawings. Add parts list information and increase the relevance of the work instruction.
Provide visualizations directly in the work step and, if required, limit them to a specific section or mark important points with notes. Speaking of notes: Measured value entries can also be easily color-coded to indicate whether a measured value is within (green) or outside (red) the predefined range.
High informative value of digital work instructions from a worker assistance system
5.
Digital work instructions increase transparency and traceability
With digital work instructions from a worker guidance system, you can create a continuous flow of information - in both directions. While you always provide up-to-date information, you capture data directly from the workplace. Through the worker's input, the digital work instruction enables basic shop floor data collection or process data acquisition.
The system gives you a direct overview of the progress made during processing. In addition, all steps are documented digitally and consistently. This facilitates any traceability, for example in the event of complaints, and also saves on tedious downstream documentation work.
Transparency of your work instructions with the weasl worker guidance system
6.
Reduce costs with digital work instructions
Digital work instructions from a worker guidance system are invaluable when it comes to optimizing internal processes and making them more efficient. You save time by reducing the effort involved in creating, maintaining and distributing work instructions. Clear and up-to-date instructions help you avoid errors, rework and therefore waste. You also train your employees much faster. And all this directly reduces your costs.
And another argument for all those who still work with paper-based work instructions: You can also save on the costs of paper, printing, reprinting on revision, archiving and storage with digital work instructions.
Versatile functions of weasl help to save costs
Switching to a digital system
If you are still working with paper instructions, then go straight to software for creating and displaying digital work instructions, such as a worker guidance system. Don't bother with Excel and the like, as this won't solve your challenges.
If you are already working with instructions in digital formats or with parts lists from an ERP, import these into a modern software solution.
When selecting a system, pay particular attention to the following criteria:
- user-friendliness: Is the selected software easy and intuitive to use - both for the plan creator and for the worker? Can the content be displayed attractively on all the end devices you use? Does the system meet all your requirements?
- accessibility: Is the system accessible from different locations?
- data protection and data security: How is the protection of sensitive personal data guaranteed? What options are there for setting up access controls?
Creating new digital work instructions
Use the selected system to modernize your work instructions and perfect them with the available options. Modern solutions such as a worker guidance system usually offer an editor with which you can create digital work instructions without programming knowledge using drag-and-drop.
It is often also possible to import existing digital instructions. However, you will hardly be able to avoid manually adapting the individual work steps here either. The good news is that you create a valuable basis and make every future investment process easier.
Making the most of the possibilities of the new system
With a modern solution such as a worker guidance system, you have countless options at your disposal to bundle everything you need for processing in one place. Take advantage of these possibilities and create meaningful, digital work instructions: