Learning

Job Methods

Job Methods is the Training Within Industry method for improving the way a job is done by making better use of the people, machines, and materials you already have. A practical, in-depth guide.

By Art Smalley

Contents · 7 sections 01

Introduction to Job Methods

Why Job Methods matters, the supervisor's five needs, and the idea that improving the work is part of the job — and not a new one.

Figures: The five needs of a supervisor · The three types of work

~7 min 02

How a better method is found by questioning the present one — taught through a present-versus-proposed demonstration, the three types of work, and results that came from removing waste, not speeding up.

Figures: Present method vs. proposed method · The results · The three types of work

~10 min 03

The Four-Step Method

Break down the job, question every detail, develop the new method, apply it — with the six questions (Why, What, Where, When, Who, How) feeding the ECRS analysis: eliminate, combine, rearrange, simplify.

Figures: 5W1H into ECRS — the heart of the method · The Job Methods card

~13 min 04

Breakdown & Proposal Sheets

The Job Methods Analysis Sheet carries the whole method on one page — work elements, key points, the six questions, ideas, and ECRS — and the Proposal Sheet writes the improvement up so it doesn't die before it is used.

Figures: The Job Methods Analysis Sheet · JI vs. JM breakdowns · The proposal sheet

~11 min 05

Developing & Selling the Improvement

The simplify principles that make the work easier and safer, and how to sell, approve, use, and give credit so a good idea actually gets put to work.

Figures: The simplify principles · Sell, approvals, use, credit

~11 min 06

Special Situations

The two human failings that stop good improvements — resistance to new ideas and resentment of criticism — and how to handle the "our work is different" objection.

Figures: Resistance vs. resentment · Objections and constructive responses

~9 min 07

Summary: Putting It to Work

The four steps in one view, why one improvement a week changes everything, and where Job Methods fits among the TWI programs.

Figures: The method on one page · The three J programs and the five needs

~8 min

More on Job Methods (TWI-JM) at Art of Lean

DefinitionJob Methods (TWI-JM) — TPS Encyclopedia

Sources

TWI Job Methods manual and cards — Training Within Industry Service, 1940s
Isao Kato, retired Toyota manager — TWI and kaizen training courses and course materials