Speed up, simplify and do it without making mistakes. That is what process optimisation should look like. The daily practice of many companies is more difficult. We have found 4 common mistakes in process optimisation with CAD software and put a positive spin on them. Here's how to make a success of process optimisation using a CAD programme.
Short lead time, few steps
In an ideal process, there are as few steps and as few actions as possible between the signing of a quotation and the delivery of goods. You have undoubtedly tried to speed up and simplify that process. What actions have you eliminated? Have you been able to optimise by reducing the number of manual activities?
These are the most common mistakes made in process optimisation with CAD software:
- Insufficient support - Coming up with improvements is one thing, rolling them out without support from employees is another. This is a no-go. Therefore, when thinking of process optimisation, for example an improvement in work preparation, always put one person per department in the improvement team. Show where the improvement is and what effects it has on all the associated activities. This creates insight and support.
- Taking on too much - Sharing ideas and wishes is good. But sometimes the sum of them is too much and it is better, for example, to divide wishes into small chunks and develop them step by step. That makes it easier for employees to integrate them into the old familiar path. Breaking them up also leads to less resistance. Scrum and agile are good 'techniques' for tackling this in a sensible manner, although you do need to have or hire people with the know-how.
- Not thinking enough about safeguards - Coming up with something and explaining it is always necessary, but so is complying with it. By safeguarding, we mean the agreements you make or a software adjustment that ensures that the old working method can no longer be used. Or that employees insist on using the new working method because they think something works better. This requires persuasion.
- Failure to reflect on applied improvements - A team can develop, introduce and train something. Afterwards, this process too often comes to a halt, while it is precisely at this point that progressive insight arises among employees. Insight with which they can indicate why something could or should be developed further. Not working on this is a real mistake.
Benefit from an optimal business process
If you opt for process optimisation with CAD software, the software must of course be able to facilitate this. Being able to make adjustments to the software, or to build in a bit of flexibility, is a good thing. If, on the basis of progressive insight, employees arrive at a desired option to be added, then you must also want to add it immediately. You either do that yourself, or you choose to put that request to the supplier. At ISD, we solve this in a modular way and you, as a user, have more than average influence on this. The result is that employees are taken seriously because they see that a modification is quickly implemented. You also benefit from an optimal business process. Would you like to know more about our smart CAD software? This video introduces you to HiCAD.
Want to know more about optimisation? Download the white paper with golden tips for an optimal business process in steel engineering, metal engineering or facade engineering.