Best Methods

What are Best Practices?

Best Practices and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are not the same thing.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are written instructions that provide the step-by-step processes to be followed to perform routine activities/operations. They provide policies and guidelines on WHAT is to be done to deliver expected outcomes. Their focus is on uniformity of performance, accuracy and consistency.

Best Practices (also known as Best Methods) are developed to streamline work. Their focus is on describing HOW to best perform tasks to produce optimal results and increase efficiency, while also ensuring accuracy and consistency. They provide a systematic, standardized approach for performing work that results in maximum output with the least down-time at the lowest possible cost and will provide maximum benefit to the overall operation, not necessarily individual functions. They are documented procedures that associates should be trained to follow to consistently perform a quality job in an efficient manner to provide maximum benefit to the overall operation.

What are the Benefits of Best Practices?

The effective training and implementation of Best Practices will ensure associates know the processes to be followed to perform each function, which should be a positive influence on their ability to consistently meet their productivity goals. Best Practices can help an operation achieve significant cost reductions and enable management and associates to work toward continuous improvement.

Best Practices can:

  • Set up an organization for success by establishing efficient standardized procedures and clear expectations
  • Reduce errors/increase quality
  • Require less management time
  • Be used to identify opportunities to improve the performance of associates
  • Simplify training/on-boarding of new hires
  • Ensure the highest levels of quality and safety 
  • Produce immediate productivity gains of 15% – 20% without expending capital resources

What does Argent Offer?

Argent utilizes Industrial Engineering principles and its extensive industry experience when developing Best Practices with our clients. Current practices will be reviewed to identify and eliminate non-value-added steps, sequence the steps properly, document and implement the revised practices, and work with company resources to formally train all associates on the Best Practices so that the expected productivity gains can be recognized.

All major functions within the operation will be studied to determine opportunities and provide recommendations needed to establish Best Practices. The opportunities and recommendations will be reviewed with management to determine required changes and appropriate actions.

Activities to determine Best Practices will include, but not be limited to tasks such as:

  • Direct observations of associates performing work functions to document steps and identify variations in processes and potential obstacles,
  • Identify process opportunities and potential changes,
  • Review process variations, preliminary data, obstacles, recommendations and expected benefits with management,
  • Determine steps and time requirement to implement process changes,
  • Perform follow-up data collection studies on new process,
  • Document agreed Best Practices based on management input, and
  • Assist management in training associates to consistently use Best Practices.

More About Best Practices

When most people speak of Best Practices, they understand the term to mean an industry standard or industry “best-in-class.”  This is one way to look at Best Practices, however, all facilities and operations are not the same, and even though we should learn from other companies, Best Practices should be tailored to each operation and customized based upon the unique characteristics of their processes and demands. 

In another sense, Best Practices are the standardized practices/methods for performing specific work, which results in maximum output, with minimal downtime, at the lowest possible cost. They can increase productivity (therefore reducing operating costs) for an organization by helping each employee improve his/her productivity. This is accomplished by ensuring each associate is given the guidelines, tools, and support to perform at an acceptable level. It is important to remember to implement Best Practices before developing performance measurements, such as Engineered Labor Standards, or implementing new technology. The last thing needed are goals and new systems based on inefficient processes.

When developing Best Practices, Argent will typically combine the data collected on-site with experiences gained from other, similar operations. One key reason for collecting data on-site is a chance to observe the higher performers and learn what they do well. Direct observations are also critical in the identification of opportunities. Examples of opportunities for improvement include excessive travel, multiple handling of product, non-value-added motions, system and equipment utilization, and quality issues. The primary objective of Best Practices is to identify the most efficient manner to perform each function that does not negatively impact other functions, while adhering to appropriate safety and quality standards.