Tips for production line management include worker positioning, automation, and employee motivation. Worker placement depends on the product being manufactured and supervisors should focus on positive conversations and allow workers to rotate positions. Production numbers should be shown to workers and improvements rewarded.
Some of the best production line management tips include positioning workers, using automation, and increasing employee motivation. Production lines depend on both human and machine interaction for profitable manufacturing activity; however, the overall design and structure of the line can certainly improve productivity in a strategic way. Managers need to review the daily progress of their employees to implement any line layout changes.
Different strategies have been used in the management of the production line regarding the positioning of the workers. Some corporate managers place slower workers near the center of an assembly line; these workers get more help from other employees to increase production times. Other worker placement techniques place slower employees near the start and end of the line. The strategy in this setup is that the fastest workers in the middle of the line will make up for lost time from the slowest start or finish.
The placement of the worker in production line management also depends on the product being manufactured. Some complicated items, like electronics, can have difficult assembly instructions which naturally slow the line down at some point. In these cases, more workers may be assigned to this particular portion of the assembly line to help alleviate the production bottleneck. For example, aligning a tiny camera in a mobile electronic device takes longer than physically screwing the rear and front housings together.
Automation can actually hinder workers if handled incorrectly. Many experts in production line management suggest that a mechanically timed conveyor belt system can reduce worker productivity; employees should be able to work at their own pace. As a result, production remains at a high level when workers can regulate their actions. The pressure of keeping up with a transport car lowers worker morale and impedes motivation.
Overall, production line management must include quality employee motivation. Managers should not put any employee on the defensive about producing the product; conversations should focus on the positives of production time and any future improvements. Additionally, supervisors should allow workers to move to different parts of the assembly line periodically. Working on a different production area reduces mental and physical fatigue.
Each production line has different challenges for the best efficiency. Production numbers should be shown to workers as a form of reference so they can improve their efficiency for better numbers in the future. Any improvement by the workers should be rewarded in the form of small prizes or bonuses.
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