To Err Is Human So Let’s Get Rid Of Human Error

Are you dealing with a business that is overwrought with little problems, miscommunications, and hidden mistakes? Is your own workforce costing you unacceptable amounts of time and money? There’s some level of human error that is simply unavoidable so long as you’re using real live people in the business. But that doesn’t mean you have to accept it. Instead, you should be pushing them to perfection, but not by force. Instead, create a smarter business that makes it harder to make a mistake in.

Account

One of the biggest problems with errors is that they are so easy to miss. If one person is in charge of both doing and approving a process, then they miss the vital step of having a second pair of eyes confirm their work. Someone can only take so much responsibility before you acknowledge that the system that’s supposed to support them is failing. There aren’t only the mistakes they miss, however. There are those they fail to account for. If people aren’t reporting their own errors, then you need to take another look at the culture of the business. Is there a reasonable fear of reprisal that is causing people to simply hope their mistakes will quietly fail? If so, you should fix it. Communication needs to be open for you to stay updated of everything in the business.

Affirm

If it’s the methods they’re using to perform their process that is causing them to make errors, then take a closer look at those methods. Implement the right tools, software, and practices to do their job more efficiently. Don’t just leave it at that, however. If you don’t make that knowledge a permanent part of the business, then you could be liable to simply seeing that mistake repeat itself in the future with a new employee. Systemizing processes in business locks that knowledge down so it’s a lot easier to teach it to new employees and have a set of guidelines that you can remind yourself of at any time you spot an error.

Automate

Of course, if you truly want to eliminate human error, then the most effective way is to simply reduce the opportunities it has to play a role. We’re moving more and more towards automated processes in all sides of the business. From using accounting software to take care of all the cash flow administration to pairing with Tsubaki roller chain suppliers to make the transport of materials in your production line a lot more efficient. Automating doesn’t have to necessarily reduce the amount of human working in your business. It can, however, free up their productivity towards tasks that absolutely need their presence. Especially if the work you’re automating is particularly boring. For instance, automating your production line transport of goods means that people aren’t just spending all day moving materials from one place to the next. That monotony creates a lack of focus which is a key cause of human error.

The future of business and automation is going to make error less common. But it’s not always the error that is the problem. It’s how the task is mishandled and why it wasn’t fixed sooner. You need more than the tools to replace the issue, you need the courage to address your part in the issue.