Self-Directed Work Teams

Installing self-directed work teams to replace hierarchal structure... 

Cross-Functional Work Team Self-Directed Work Team Empowerment Benefits of Teams... 

Self-directed work teams are given authority to solve problems related to their jobs. The amount of authority that is given to a team depends on the company. For example, some companies allow the teams to interview job candidates for a position on the team and either to make the final decision or to have input into the final decision about hiring. 

Many companies already organize their shop floors with teams. The teams are usually trained in total quality tools and techniques. For a self-directed work team to function well, it has to have a clear structure to provide a framework for decision making. A common structure for this type of team is referred to as either the spoke or star structure. This means that the team s responsibilities are classified into distinct areas. Typically, one team member is appointed to fulfill the role of leader for each responsibility area. Common star leadership positions include scheduling, human resources, quality, and safety. 

Process Technology 3—Operations—combines process systems into operational processes with emphasis on operations under various conditions. Topics include typical duties of an operator. Instruction focuses on the principles of modem manufacturing technology and process equipment. Emphasizes scale-up from laboratory bench to pilot unit. Describe unit operation concepts solve elementary chemical mass/energy balance problems interpret analytical data and apply distillation and fluid flow principles. The purpose of this class is to provide adult learners with the opportunity to work in a self-directed work team, operate a complex operational system, collect and analyze data, start and stop process equipment, follow and write operational procedures. The course is advanced and requires the learner to apply classroom skills to real-life operational activities. Students are required to qualify and operate a process unit. 

The work in the food and beverage industry is physically demanding and has a lower pay structure than for technicians working in the hydrocarbon processing industry. Many food and beverage companies work rotating shifts and use self-directed work teams. 

Plant start-ups are best managed by having the first-line supervisor function in the leadperson role. In these situations, the technical expertise of the workers is low. Supervisors should be selected, therefore, primarily for their technical abilities. Team training should be provided, however, to all workers and managers when possible to prepare them for an eventual transition into a team organization. Some organizations have attempted start-ups with self-directed work teams, usually with disastrous results. Afunctional organization works best for start-ups. 

Although all of these resource books have sections or chapters on leadership skills, anyone who ever wants to be a team leader should read at least one book focused on developing these specific skills. Leading Self-Directed Work Teams [4] by Kimball Fisher is an excellent choice. 

Fisher, K., Leading Self-Directed Work Teams A Guide to Developing New Team Leadership Skills, 2nd ed. (New York McGraw-Hill, 1999). 

Leading Self-Directed Work Teams, 919 Leaks... 

Use self-managed or self-directed work teams. 

At the same time, managers need to relinquish their hold on the "control buttons" of operations and processes that workers can manage themselves, perhaps through self-directed work teams. A truly "empowered work force" is one trusted by managers and supervisors to get the job done without direct supervision. Obviously, this cannot happen overnight, but a solid foundation is cemented when the five actively caring person states are strengthened. 

Some emphasis should be added here. Factor 1 is not management s commitment to the safety process, it is management s demonstration of commitment. Factor 3 is not the quality of the supervisor, it is the quality of the supervisory process. A supervisory process can exist with or without the existence of first-line supervisors. Self-directed work teams provide an example of a supervisory process that does not use first-line snpervisors. 

Options Self-directed work teams, team circles, task forces Organizational Roles... 

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