A contribution towards a methodology for managing learning, multi-skilling and performance on the shop floor

Abstract

High-performance work is applied in production methodologies like lean production. In this approach, workers are able to perform several different tasks and participate in continuous improvement. In order to be able to do this, workers must obtain practical knowledge of the tasks and acquire a global vision of the process. Work plans must take into account workers’ performance when they begin working on new tasks, the cost of learning new tasks in terms of training or low performance, the effects of previous knowledge and personal absorption capacity, and a final knowledge objective. We propose a task-assignment model that takes these factors into account. A particular version of the model is defined in detail. Several instances based in a real case are solved using optimization software. This proves that the model is affordable for moderate-sized problems. The information that can be obtained using this method is presented. These results form the basis for an applicable methodology to be developed in future research.