In a previous post, I explained what a pillar is in the context of implementing Operational Excellence (OE) within companies. Pillars are cross-departmental teams with three main functions: identifying losses (spy of losses), helping the organization to eradicate those losses, and building systems to ensure losses do not recur.
There are many types of pillars, the most common being Focused Improvement (FI), Autonomous Maintenance (AM), and Preventive Maintenance (PM). Other well-known pillars include Quality Maintenance (QM) or Progressive Quality (PQ), Safety (SHE), and Early Equipment Management (EEM).
So, if all pillars have the same core functions, what makes them different? The main difference lies in the type of losses they focus on. For example, the PM pillar addresses losses related to poor machine maintenance, while the AM pillar targets losses from machines not being in basic condition.
As organizations evolve, they may identify other significant losses that hinder their ability to achieve their vision. In organizations that implement Integrated Work Systems (IWS), for instance, a Leadership pillar is established. This pillar strengthens day-to-day and week-to-week direction, ensuring that everyone can prioritize tasks, tackle losses, and collaborate quickly to avoid large-scale losses. Another important pillar in IWS organizations is the Org pillar, which focuses on losses related to organizational management.
In future posts, I will provide more detailed insights on each pillar. How to develop a pillar is a step-by-step process, and I will explain the logic behind it. While the steps may vary slightly between companies, the most important thing is understanding the philosophy and logic behind each step.
Additionally, I will provide links to teaching videos that explain these details in depth. If you have any questions, want to discuss further, or share your opinions, feel free to use the comment section in this post.