 Miller Pipeline’s initiative to maximize our performance for the betterment of our customers and our employees began just over a year ago. Coined “Operation Impact,” the initiative aims to identify and overcome obstacles which cause lost productivity.
In a 14-month time span we’ve managed to achieve an incredible amount of success. Outcomes to-date include the establishment of the Corporate Performance Team (CPT), the creation of the pre-job planning checklist, and the adoption of the daily huddle and goal setting process (see timeline on page 2). The next big milestone, daily productivity reporting, is nearing completion. Over half of Miller Pipeline foremen currently receive a daily production summary, commonly referred to as the red/green report.
This report compares actual production data to pre-established production targets to let foremen know how their crew is performing. To make things simple, color coding is used - a green result means the target was met or exceeded while red signifies the goal was not achieved.
Having real-time access to this type of data daily allows foremen to identify trends and catch potential problems early on so they can be evaluated and correctiveaction can be taken to get things back on track.
The efforts of Operation Impact are being noticed by those in the field. Here's what they have to say:
"During the daily huddle we discuss the previous day’s production, today’s goals plus safety. The process works so well to get everyone on the same page that at the end of the day we get together one more time to prepare for the following day. We are more productive this way."
- Jody Andrews Foreman, South
"The pre-job planning process hasimproved our planning and communications significantly. Because I am the first one onsite, I know what it will take to get the job done including specialty equipment, plates etc. I arrange to have it taken care of so when the crew arrives they can roll right into the job."
- Ned Oxenrider, Superintendent, East Coast
"I really like receiving the reports on a daily basis. Before, other than the occasional pep rally, you had no idea if you were being productive or not. You just assumed you were being productive if you still had your job. Now we know what we need to do to match or exceed the target. It’s good to know what’s expected of you"
- Gary Dickison, Foreman, Indiana
"The red/green report is great because it let’s crews know how they are performing without their supervisor having to be in the field observing to provide feedback."
- Jim Wilson, Supervisor, Ohio
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