Many of us are working hard to create equipment reliability improvement in our various organizations. We’re working hard to learn about all the tools and techniques that will allow us to be successful. We know this will have an incredible impact on our  operations with untold financial gains to be had by our respective companies. BUT, is this really going to help create the success we are looking for and will it sustain itself if one of us were to move on?

The key to this question focuses on our ability to create a culture change that will motivate everyone to embrace reliability improvement and keep it going even when we’ve changed positions.

So many of the companies I’ve been visiting are really struggling with how to accomplish this vital part (culture change0 that is needed for true success. This difficulty is created by those who don’t understand the importance of everyone in the organization learning about why reliability is important to both them and their companies. This learning has to be related to the ‘what’s in it for me’ and why is that important. In addition, we must do a better job of getting as many people involved as possible in helping define the needed changes and then being a part of making them happen. Now you start to see significant ownership develop and the program is no longer yours or mine but ours.

I believe that it’s possible to sustain equipment reliability in any organization with any group of people once you get your mind around how critical this element of your program truly is in order to establish success. That done, when one of us leaves the organization, no matter what our role, the rest of the folks will insure this effort continues. Good luck as you think your way through this process as it relates to your efforts and enjoy the benefits that will be achieved by all.

March 22nd, 2010   Al Weber   Strategy & Leadership   Leave a Comment »