Work simplification

Work simplification is an increase in efficiency (cost savings) by reducing the number of tasks that an employee must perform. Work simplification is based on the principles of scientific management and industrial engineering. Planned tasks should be simple, repetitive, and standardized. By reducing the complexity of the employee has the opportunity to focus on the implementation of a greater number of certain routine tasks. The organization can use a little trained staff, which allows it to achieve a high level of efficiency. Employees easily substitute each other because they do not need to possess complex skills, in-depth knowledge and experience.

The main characteristics of the work

Richard Hackman and Greg Oldham developed a rather interesting approach to work organization, which is called the model of job characteristics. The study of Hackman and Oldham was devoted to the redesign (reorganization) of labor, that is, changing the content of labor, both to improve the quality of the work experience of workers and to improve labor productivity. Scientists who have studied the organization of hundreds of different works have created a model of job characteristics. This model consists of three parts: key characteristics (measurements) of work, decisive (extremely important) psychological states of an employee and the strength of an employee's growth needs .

Fig.1. Set of tools that will improve work efficiency

• A variety of skills: This refers to the number of different activities that make up the work, and the number of skills needed to perform it. For example, the repetitive actions of a working assembly line are characterized by a low level of diversity, while applied research, which includes a daily solution of new problems, is characterized by a high level of diversity.
• Finality of the task :The degree to which an employee performs all the work from beginning to end. For example, the chef who cooks all the food in full, the completeness of the job is higher than that of the production line worker in the cafeteria who puts the mashed potatoes in a bowl.
• The significance of the task: The degree to which a task is perceived as important and relevant to the company or consumers. For example, employees who distribute antibiotics and other essential medicines feel that their work is important to other people.
• Autonomy: The degree to which an employee is free has the right of choice and is independent in planning and executing the task. The house painter at painting houses can determine how to paint the house; The worker for painting parts on the conveyor has little autonomy.
• Feedback: A measure in which the execution of a work is ensured by providing information to the employee about its results. Tasks may vary significantly in terms of providing employees with the opportunity to see the results of their efforts. For example, a football coach knows whether a team has won or lost, and a basic research scientist can expect results for several years indicating that his research project has been successful.

The model of job characteristics shows that the more these five main characteristics are present in the work, the more motivated the employee is, the higher the results and the quality of his work, and the more he is satisfied with the work .

Steps to simplify the work

Below are four consistent steps to simplify the work:

• Analyzing the entire work process.
• Elimination of unnedeed parts of the process.
• Combining the rest of the work process.
• Simplify the required parts of the process.

Methods to simplify the work

There are many methods to simplify the work, the main of which are:

• Pareto principle:

The principle, or the 80/20 rule, was formulated in the 19th century by the Italian economist D. Pareto and has not undergone any changes since then, remaining almost a universal measure of human efficiency in various areas of life. His account can greatly facilitate our vain (or filled with an incomprehensible meaning) existence. Proceeding from it, in the list of 10 everyday affairs, only 2 cases will provide you 80 percent of the planned success.The main thing is to define them precisely and make them priorities. And the remaining 8 can be left undone, because the value of their results will be much less .

• Eisenhower method:

The rule proposed by Dwight Eisenhower is a simple aid, especially for those cases when it is necessary to quickly decide on which task to give preference to. According to this rule, priorities are set according to criteria such as urgency and importance of the case. The importance of the case is determined by how much the result of doing it affects your work. Urgency - how quickly you need to do this thing.

Advantages of Work simplification

Some advantages of work simplification include:

• Increased efficiency: By simplifying tasks, employees can focus on performing a greater number of routine tasks, which can increase productivity and overall efficiency.
• Reduced costs: Using less skilled or trained staff can lead to cost savings for the organization.
• Improved quality: Simplifying tasks can also lead to improved quality, as errors and defects are less likely to occur when tasks are standardized and easy to perform.
• Increased flexibility: Work simplification can also increase the flexibility of the workforce, as employees can more easily substitute for one another.
• Employee satisfaction: Employees may also experience increased job satisfaction when their work is simplified and easy to perform.
• Improved Safety: In some cases, simplifying tasks can make the process safer for the employees.

Limitations of Work simplification

Some limitations of work simplification include:

• Limited creativity: Simplifying tasks may limit the ability of employees to use their creativity and problem-solving skills.
• Lack of motivation: When tasks are simplified and repetitive, employees may become bored and demotivated, leading to a decline in productivity.
• Limited scope for improvement: Simplifying tasks may also limit the scope for process improvement, as there may be fewer opportunities to identify and implement changes that could lead to further increases in efficiency.
• Risk of oversimplification: In some cases, simplifying tasks too much may lead to oversimplification and an over-reliance on automation. This can make the process inflexible, and not able to adapt to changes or unexpected situations.
• Lack of job satisfaction: Employees may feel that the work is too simple and unchallenging, leading to a lack of job satisfaction.
• Dependence on technology: Simplifying tasks may lead to an over-reliance on technology, which can create problems if the technology fails or if employees are not properly trained to use it.

Other approaches related to Work simplification

There are several other approaches related to work simplification, including:

• Lean Management: Lean management is an approach that focuses on reducing waste and increasing efficiency by streamlining processes and eliminating unnecessary steps. It is often used in manufacturing and service industries.
• Six Sigma: Six Sigma is an approach that uses statistical methods to improve quality and reduce defects in a process. It is often used in manufacturing and service industries.
• Total Quality Management (TQM): Total Quality Management is an approach that focuses on involving all employees in the quality improvement process. It emphasizes the use of data and statistical methods to improve quality and reduce defects.
• Process mapping: Process mapping is a technique used to visualize and analyze the flow of work in an organization. It is used to identify areas where processes can be simplified and streamlined.
• Business Process Reengineering (BPR): BPR is a management approach that focuses on redesigning business processes to achieve significant improvements in efficiency, quality, and customer service.
• Human-centered design: This approach focuses on understanding the needs of the people who will be using the process, and designing the process with their needs in mind. It is used to ensure that the process is not only efficient but also user-friendly.

Footnotes

Work simplification — recommended articles

Lean software development — Job simplification — Division of work — Quality — Continuous improvement — Work cycle — Quality Function Deployment — World class manufacturing — Philip B. Crosby

References

• Figurska I., Matuska E. (2013), Employer branding as a human resources management strategy, "Human Resources Management & Ergonomics", vol. VII;
• Hackman R., Oldham G. (1976), Motivation through the Design of Work: Test of a Theory, "Organizational behavior and human performance 16, 250-279";
• Hussein A. (2018), Test of Hackman and Oldham’s Job Characteristics Model at General Media Sector, "International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 8(1), 352-371".
• Kaplow L., Shavell S. (2001), Ane non-welfarist Mathod of Policy Assessment Violates the Pareto Principle, "Journal of Political Economy", vol. 109., number 2;
• Locke E. (2009), Handbook of Principles of Organizational Behavior, "Indispensable knowlege for evidence-based management";

Author: Valeriia Nezdolii