Engineering by RENDA ENGINEERING
We had the pleasure of creating a production manual for Huber & Suhner AG. For a fully functional production, all employees need a basis in which it is exactly defined how what is handled where. Without optimised and coordinated processes, quality standards or safety regulations, even the everyday activities at all levels and in all areas can become an enormous challenge. Furthermore, it creates further security for internal and external clients or potential clients to have chosen the right partner or employer. Structure creates trust and long partnerships.
The following work steps were implemented together with the individual specialists from Huber & Suhner AG:
Defining the purpose of the production manual: In close exchange, not only with the area managers, but also with all employees, the needs were picked up. Here, the focus was on identifying the difficulties and ambiguities and consciously incorporating them in the course of this project.
Determining the target group: How do we lay out the formatting? Do we link to the production manual and grant only limited permissions? How do we formulate our content? Who needs to find their way around it? There was a whole list of questions that needed to be answered before we even started collecting data.
Gathering the relevant information: What are we changing in the processes? Do the interfaces have to be redefined? Will certain sub-processes be discontinued due to upcoming technologies? Is the existing data the most up-to-date, and has there been repeated consultation with external parties to ensure that it is really up to date? Here it was important for us to include third parties who, for example, supplied operating manuals for equipment. Documents change weekly or monthly and have to be updated again and again. After revising the processes, we worked our way through the sub-processes and sub-programmes step by step.
Structuring the production manual: What information needs to be listed one after the other so that a continuous and comprehensible thread runs through the entire production manual. Cross-references in the document as well as links to other platforms helped to clarify this.
Content creation: This point can become an enormous time eater. We were able to refer to the existing documents here because of the good quality that was already there and work mostly with rewordings.
Revision and proofreading: Before starting any proofreading, one should be sure that all content has been created and is correctly incorporated. This is another area where the client may incur high costs if the work is not done properly.
Layout and design: Of course, we stuck to the corporate design and tried to create an easy-to-read layout that is easily visible on PC, tablet or smartphone. The target group is mainly in production and works with their smartphones.
Testing and validation: Enough time should be allocated here. We specified exactly how the feedback had to be recorded so that we could carry out a clean revision afterwards. Of course, pragmatism should be called for here, as quality increases vehemently when it is a "simple matter" to record the feedback.
Publication and distribution: After the production manual has been finalised and checked, it must be distributed to the right places. Here it is important to make everyone aware that it is no longer document XY that applies, but this new production manual.
Updating and maintenance: Care and control are two key elements that contribute to a clean use of this production manual. Here, control must be exercised at all levels. Quality Assurance has oversight of the document and must ensure ongoing updating.
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