Improve the Task Management in the Manufacturing Plant

Task management is an essential process that ensures effective planning, organization, and completion of tasks within a given timeline. 

The better you handle the task management process, the easier it will be for you to ensure the timely completion of tasks and achieve production goals while maintaining quality standards.

In the context of manufacturing plants, task management plays a crucial role in the successful execution of various processes involved in the production, inventory management, quality control, and maintenance of the plant. 

Production Planning 

Production planning tasks include creating a schedule for the production process, determining the required resources, and allocating them to the relevant departments. Effective task management ensures that all the necessary tasks are completed promptly and efficiently, enabling the plant to meet its production targets.

Inventory Management

Inventory management involves tracking the inventory levels, ordering new supplies when necessary, and maintaining the stock levels. Handling inventory tasks well helps ensure the necessary supplies are available to support production.

Quality Control

Quality control involves monitoring product quality, identifying defects, and implementing corrective measures. A solid task management system will allow you to maintain the desired quality standards. 

Maintenance Tasks

Maintenance involves the regular upkeep and repair of the plant and equipment to ensure optimal functioning. Task management helps to track the maintenance schedule, ensuring that all necessary repairs and upkeep tasks are completed on time.

It goes without saying, but the number of tasks performed under your roof will only grow with time. 

So is it worth investing in a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to handle them, or should you be a paper-centric company?

Here are the pros and cons of both options…

Pro: Accessibility and portability

Using a CMMS for managing tasks provides better accessibility. Your list of tasks can be accessed from anywhere, making it easier for plant managers to manage them on the go.

Pro: Integration with other applications

CMMS software can be integrated with other applications, such as inventory management and quality control tools, ensuring seamless data flow across different departments.

Pro: Better collaboration

Relying on a digital solution will allow all involved parties to be perfectly aligned in the execution of the specific task. 

Pro: On-time task delivery

A CMMS can provide reminders and alerts for upcoming tasks, helping to keep team members on track and avoid delays. This feature can be especially useful for time-sensitive tasks or those with tight deadlines.

Pro: Increased accountability and task ownership

Using software allows you to assign tasks to specific team members, track their progress, and provide visibility into the status of each task. This level of transparency can encourage team members to take ownership of their tasks and deliver quality work. It can also help identify areas for improvement and opportunities to optimize the manufacturing process.

Pro: Stay prepared for audits 

With CMMS, preparing for audits and inspections can be done in less time. The instant reports and access to records reduce the time spent looking for information in a file cabinet.

Now let’s take a look at some of the drawbacks:

Con: Distractions and interruptions

Digital task management solutions can be distracting, with notifications and pop-ups interrupting work and reducing productivity.

Con: Technical issues and dependency

When you rely on software, there’s always the risk of experiencing technical issues at some point. 

Con: Cost and subscription fees

Integrating a CMMS system comes at a cost. However, you don't have to spend a fortune to make such a purchase. All you need to know is how to budget correctly to fit your financial limits.

Pro: No technical issues or dependency 

On-paper task management is not reliant on technology, eliminating the risk of technical issues or data loss.
 

Pro: Low-cost and widely available

It’s low-cost and widely available, making the paper option more accessible to small manufacturing plants.

However, there are some cons you need to consider:

Con: Time-consuming

On-paper task management can be time-consuming due to the need for manual data entry, updates, and tracking. This can take away valuable time from employees, who could focus on other vital tasks.

Con: Difficult to share and collaborate
Physical documents may need to be manually passed between employees or stored in a central location, making it difficult for team members to access and collaborate on tasks in real-time. 

Con: Not suitable for growing or large organizations

As your manufacturing plant grows or expands, on-paper task management can do more harm than good. The process can become overwhelming and require additional resources, time, and storage space. 

Con: Risk of errors and data loss 

Managing a large volume of paper documents is prone to errors and data loss, which can have significant consequences for the manufacturing plant. Documents can be misplaced, damaged, or lost, leading to financial losses.

Fabrico is the ultimate tool for the digitalization of maintenance.

Integrating our CMMS solution will automatically provide you with all the necessary tools for smooth task management:

• Each team member can monitor their tasks on their own device and profile
• Time required for a task is monitored - automatically or by self-reporting
• One task can be assigned to a whole team

And these features are just the tip of the iceberg. 

Want to learn more about how our product can elevate your plant’s performance?
 

Schedule a demo with an expert today.