Digital Work Instructions Should be a Cornerstone of Your Transformation Strategy
Digital work instructions represent a fundamental component of your initiatives, seamlessly merging with other initiatives that drive digital transformation strategy. Their integration facilitates smart manufacturing practices by enabling real-time data flows and analysis that empower manufacturers to make smarter decisions and enhance process optimization. The most effective digital work instructions incorporate a variety of multimedia content such as video, photos, and 2D and 3D visualizations – all in a user-friendly step-by-step format that enables faster learning for your frontline.
Your digital work instructions solution serves as a conduit for streamlining standard operating procedures (SOPs) and manufacturing processes and bolsters your onboarding and training programs. By adopting digital work instructions, you can capture and preserve vital tribal knowledge from seasoned experts, significantly reducing the time required for training new employees while also improving retention.
Digital work instructions are the key! But just having them isn’t enough. To truly unlock their potential, you need to create instructions that are clear, engaging, and easy to use. We’ve compiled the top 10 tips from our real-world customers to help you implement digital work instructions that will transform your operations.
The Top 10 Customer-Back Tips for Implementing Digital Work Instructions
- Use High-Quality Images and Videos
High-resolution visuals are crucial for effective digital work instructions. Your workers need to see the nuts and bolts of the operation in each step. Blurry images or low-resolution videos make it hard to discern important details, increasing the chance of errors. Invest in good cameras (modern smartphones and tablets can work) and source high-quality stock images and videos where lighting is adequate and the focus is sharp. When workers can zoom in on a high-resolution image to see the precise placement of a component or the exact size, they get visual confirmation of the proper assembly.
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- Use a Variety of Multimedia Formats
Don’t just rely on pictures and videos because people learn in different ways. Some grasp concepts quickly from visuals, while others benefit from audio explanations or even written directions. By incorporating a multimedia-rich mix of images, videos, audio clips, and text, you cater to different learning styles and keep your work instructions engaging for each learner.
- Harness the Power of CAD for Immersive Training Visualizations:
Put your existing CAD assets to work to create 2D/3D dynamic visualizations that bring training to life. Generate exploded views of assemblies, animated assembly sequences, and interactive models that trainees can manipulate and explore in a way that suits their learning. You can simulate real-world scenarios and visualize complex processes with clarity for an immersive approach that fosters deeper understanding, improves knowledge retention, and boosts engagement, leading to a more skilled and confident workforce.
- Keep Your Digital Work Instructions Concise and to the Point
Time is of the essence on the front line on the factory floor. Workers need to access information quickly and efficiently. Avoid lengthy paragraphs, long videos, multiple pictures, or overly detailed explanations beyond single steps of work at a time. Break down your work instructions into short steps with clear, actionable language to improve digestibility and make it easy to scan for specific information.
- Use Clear and Concise Language so Anyone Can Understand
Jargon and technical terms can create confusion, especially for new or less experienced workers. Use plain language that everyone can understand, regardless of their background and experience. Avoid acronyms or internal abbreviations that might not be universally known. If you must use technical terms, provide clear definitions within the work instruction step. Remember, the goal is not to showcase your technical acumen but to communicate effectively regardless of end-user skillset. Clear language helps to ensure everyone is on the same page, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and costly errors.
- Use a Consistent Format and Layout for the UX
Consistency is key to a user-friendly experience. Establish a standard format for your digital work instructions and stick to it, keeping top of mind that singular step-by-step instructions should be the goal. Your work instructions should use consistent fonts, heading styles, color schemes, and media placement. A standardized layout makes it easier for workers to navigate the instructions and find the information they need quickly. When instructions look and feel familiar, workers can focus on the task at hand rather than deciphering a new format each time, which can also translate to faster onboarding and upskilling.
- Test Your Instructions Before You Launch Them
Think of this as a pilot program for your digital work instructions launch plan. Before rolling them out to the entire workforce, have a small group of workers test them out and provide feedback. Observe how they interact with the instructions, identify any points of confusion, and gather feedback on clarity and ease of use. Gather input on which types of multimedia resonate for different steps. Using this testing phase allows you to catch errors, refine steps, and make improvements before the instructions are widely distributed, ensuring a smoother implementation and better user experience. It will also help drive change management as you will have created champions who can advocate to their peers about the benefits of your work instructions.
- Get Feedback from Your Workers
The people who use your digital work instructions every day are your best source of feedback. Be sure to choose a solution that gives you the benefit of a feedback loop. It is important to establish a culture for gathering input from workers on the clarity, accuracy, and effectiveness of the instructions. Training program managers can also collect feedback on step time, efficiency, safety, and other quantitative measures to pair with qualitative data you receive from your workforce. Actively solicit suggestions for improvement and take them seriously if you want to build a culture of continuous improvement. By involving workers in the process, you will improve the quality of your instructions and foster a sense of ownership and engagement.
- Update Your Instructions Regularly
Your manufacturing processes are dynamic. Equipment changes, new technologies are introduced, and best practices evolve, especially as you collect feedback from your workers. Make sure your digital work instructions keep pace with these changes and include any enhancements in the multimedia content you incorporate throughout your training. Establish a cadence for regular reviews and updates that specific events, like the introduction of new machinery, or on a set timeline, such as quarterly reviews, could trigger. Keeping instructions current ensures they remain relevant and reliable, supporting workers in performing tasks accurately and efficiently.
- Provide Training on How to Use Your Digital Work Instructions
Even the most user-friendly platform requires some initial training. Don’t just assume workers will figure it out on their own. Provide comprehensive training on how to access, navigate, and utilize the digital work instruction system. When training new employees or current ones, you can include hands-on workshops, online tutorials, short video demonstrations, and use your test group as trainers. Proper training supports the change management process to ensure workers feel comfortable using the new tools and can take full advantage of their features, maximizing the benefits of the digital work instruction and training program.
Empower Your Workforce with Digital Work Instructions that Actually Deliver Results
Digital work instructions are revolutionizing the manufacturing landscape by empowering frontline workers to be as efficient as ever. By following these 10 customer-backed tips, you can ditch the old way of doing things and empower your workforce with cutting-edge tools that boost efficiency, improve quality, and drive engagement. Remember, the key is to keep things clear, concise, and user-friendly so that anyone can learn easily and achieve productivity faster.
CDS Mentor is the leading solution for digital work instructions powering these customer-backed tips. Our customers have used Mentor to revolutionize their training programs by capturing tribal knowledge and transforming SOPs and other processes into multimedia-rich training that helps onboard, train, and retain frontline employees. To see a demo, contact us today!
Learn how Belvac uses CDS Mentor to capture tribal knowledge faster, reduce training time, and improve assembly time.
