This is an interesting article we found on the value of training manuals in enabling business continuity during periods of high turnover. Well worth a read.
High Turnover? The Training Manual Fills the Void, by Michael Berry
Michael writes;
Replacing a qualified and dedicated worker can be expensive and time consuming. It often takes time, loss production revenue and overtime by other employees to fill the void. As time passes, the manager's dilemma is focused on training and developing a new employee into a top performing worker. If you are lucky enough during the hiring process to find a qualified employee to fill the void the problem will be solved. If not, the company must rely on established training methods to achieve future success. Your rate of employee turnover determines the degree of your possible dilemma. Here is a few points to consider.
The training manual is an essential tool in the technical environment to fill the void and keep continuity.
Evaluating your current training process begins with outlining your current procedures and processes. A good question is "If a man was walking down the street and you handed him your training manual could he do the job?" Could he build the product from the reference material? This is essential to the evaluation process.
In manufacturing, the loss of an assembly line worker can create turmoil. The manager must rely on past established employee experience and cross training to achieve success. The assembly line is a step by step process, removing an essential piece can crumble or inhibit overall productivity. It doesn't stop the production process. The product must meet deadline. This is why the well written and detailed technical manual can eliminate voids and downtime. It also creates a building block to the cross training process. It is an essential management tool and a daily reference tool for every employee involved in the process.
Finally, outlining your process is essential to success. Identifying outliers and determining if your current process is linear are keys to success. Your goal is to properly Identify gaps and weak points in the system. This will strengthen the overall assembly process. It all begins with rewriting after your evaluation.
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