TECHNOLOGY UPDATE Standard Operating Procedures …

1 TECHNOLOGY UPDATE . Standard Operating Procedures Prasanta Sarkar Founder, Operations Engineer at Leadtec (SOP) A Process management tool for the garment factories M. ore than just written above when SOP is followed factory will Standard Operating instructions SOP can be get same result every time. Consistency also made using would result in enhanced factory procedure (SOP) is not a LOOXVWUDWLRQV DQG RZ performance and even if a person doing charts. For some the job is changes; result would remain new thing for the processes, factory only needs to provide the same. It does not matter who is detailed instructions to perform a task, doing the job, important thing is garment industry. SOP is where some processes required operators should use Standard well known and is instruction as well as decision making based on result of intermediate steps.

2 Procedures . 2. Right Quality First time: widely used by many Factories always follow a procedure to do Organizations aim not just to produce a task, but usually such Procedures are a product but a quality product. When organized factories. SOP either not standardized or not written. Standard Procedures are followed, Now it is time to standardize Procedures desired result would come at the end can be defined as a s for all routine tasks in manufacturing of the process. Use of SOP reduces the SURFHVVHV DQG JHW WKLQJV GRQH ULJKW UVW chance of making mistakes for common tep-by-step written time; every time Importance of Standard HUURUV 5 LJKW UVW WLPH TXDOLW\ SURGXFWLRQ . procedure about how to Operating Procedures for Routine Tasks KDV LWV RZQ QXPEHU RI RWKHU EHQH WV.

3 In a factory, managers, executives and 3. Better concentration on work do a job that gives workers do routine tasks using a rather than asking every time how procedure. Procedure used for doing a to do the job. A well written SOP set for desired result and task or getting required result varies from processes and sub-processes, gives person to person. Secondly, different direction to operators how to do a given maintains consistency in procedure needs different products task and how things will go. When there (materials) for the same result. To get are no clear instructions and Procedures , results. SOP can also be the same result from a process employees operators may follow wrong procedure defined as a checklist for need to do a job same way every time.

4 To ensure that every time an operator follows and do mistakes. On the other hand PDQDJHUV GRQ W QHHG WR SUHSDUH OLVW RI . the user (operator) who the same method of doing a task, factory comments in every meetings and give needs to set up a Standard procedure for instructions to their supervisors and is going to do a Operating a task and follow all Standard executives. Everyone can concentrate on SURFHGXUHV 7 KHUH DUH QXPEHU RI EHQH WV the task, instead of meetings for setting particular job and it is a and improvement potential while a Procedures every day. factory set SOP for their processes and 4. Reduced process delay: As SOP. sure success method of VXE SURFHVVHV 0 DMRU EHQH WV RI KDYLQJ contains detailed step by step procedure doing a job.

5 SOPs and following those SOPS include : 1. Consistency in result: As said on the of doing a task, operator does not need to think before starting a task. Operators 44 August 2013. TECHNOLOGY UPDATE . SOP at knitting unit of Maral Overseas, Indore. do not need to wait for work instructions Garment industry is considered as an of the workers. from their managers. Operator can keep unorganized industry. In this industry Example them busy in work and complete the task small number of professionals who can A SOP of a sewing department of a faster. communicate effectively. A well written Bangalore based export house is shown 5. Self explained methods: SOP makes SOP can improve the communication gap below as an example. In this SOP there are it easy to train employees in new process.

6 Between supervisor and workers, work instructions for line supervisors and It will also be easy for newcomers to learn Managers to supervisors etc. and checklist for the above the Procedures and attain objectives. Also minimize miscommunication in work SOP can be extended further by including HODs do not need to remind precautions instruction and training. detailed instructions. SOPs needs to be to their subordinates while delegating 7. Work place Safety: Work place must displayed near the workstation and should works every time. be safe for employees. A SOP written for be readable to the concerned person. SOP. 6. Minimizes miscommunication: how to operate a machine improves safety should be written in local language or if required in multiple languages.

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