Your team is struggling to meet its production targets. What steps can you take to get back on track?

1 Identify the root causes

To solve any problem, the first step is to understand what is causing it. Analyzing your team's workflow, processes, resources, and communication can help you identify the factors impacting your production targets. Common causes of production issues may include a lack of clear expectations and roles, poor planning or scheduling, inadequate training or tools, low motivation or engagement, or external factors like supply chain disruptions, customer demands, or market changes. Once you have identified the root causes, you can start to address them and find solutions.

2 Communicate effectively

The next step to getting back on track is to communicate effectively with your team and other stakeholders. You need to share the production targets, the current status, the challenges, and the action plan with everyone involved. You also need to listen to your team's feedback, concerns, and suggestions, and encourage them to collaborate and support each other. Communication is key to building trust, transparency, and accountability among your team members and ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals.

3 Implement improvements

The third step to getting back on track is to implement improvements based on your analysis and communication. You need to make changes to your team's workflow, processes, resources, and communication that will help you overcome the obstacles and optimize your production efficiency and quality. For instance, setting SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) production targets and tracking progress can be beneficial. Additionally, creating realistic and flexible production plans and schedules that account for potential risks and contingencies can help ensure success. It is also important to provide adequate training, skills development, and tools for your team members. Furthermore, recognizing, rewarding, and celebrating your team's achievements and efforts as well as seeking feedback, evaluating results, and making adjustments as needed can be effective in improving productivity.

4 Resolve conflicts

The fourth step to getting back on track is to resolve any conflicts that might arise among your team members or between your team and other stakeholders. Conflicts can be detrimental to productivity, quality, and morale, potentially leading to further delays, errors, or dissatisfaction. It’s important to address any conflicts quickly and use effective techniques such as active listening, focusing on facts and interests, exploring options and alternatives, negotiating and compromising to reach a mutually acceptable solution, and following up and monitoring the implementation of the solution.

5 Support your team

The final step to getting back on track is to support your team throughout the process. You need to demonstrate your care, trust, and value for your team members by providing them with the resources, guidance, and feedback they need to succeed. This includes being available and accessible, giving constructive and positive feedback and recognition, encouraging creativity and learning, promoting teamwork and diversity, providing opportunities for growth and development, and fostering a positive and respectful work environment. By following these steps, you can help your team meet its production targets, improve performance, morale, and satisfaction, and create a more productive and successful automotive manufacturing team.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?