Field notes
What to prepare before an operations visit
Consultants do better work when you skip the polished deck and leave the messy samples on the table.
Sites sometimes tidy away the evidence. Resist that urge. We need to see the workaround sticky notes, the private spreadsheet, and the job that has been living on a windowsill.
Useful to gather
- A month of order or job dates (promised versus actual, even if rough)
- One example of a “nightmare” job and one that ran cleanly
- Names of supervisors who may speak freely
- Quiet space for short interviews away from the line noise
Useful to decide
- Which product family is in scope for the first visit
- Whether night or weekend observation is needed
- Who can approve a local rule change after the readout
Leave the brochure for later
Brand films and award slides rarely explain why Thursday collapses. A coffee with the person who chases shortages usually does.
When you are ready, request a conversation and we will say what to gather for your situation.