128 THETOYOTAWAYFIELDBOOK
Standardized Work Combination Table
As the name implies, this table (also called the Standardized Work Combination
Sheet) is used for analyzing jobs that have combined work. The intent is to show
the relationship in terms of time of two or more activities that occur simultane-
ously. It is used primarily for operations that have a combination of manual
operations and automatic equipment, but it can also be used for operations
where two or more operators work together on the same product at the same
time. For example, a good application for this tool would be if an operator loads
a robotic welding station and pushes the start button, and the robot welds while
the operator unloads and loads another station. We have seen many people
attempt to use the Standardized Work Combination Table for all jobs, but using
it to analyze a single operator who does not utilize automatic equipment is a
waste of time and effort. You will not learn anything from this analysis except
how to fill out the form.
Figure 6-5, above, depicts an operation with an automatic cycle robot. The
shortcoming of using a simple Standardized Work Sheet analysis in this case is
that it does not show what happens after the robot cycle is started. There will
TIP
Focus on the Work, Not the Operator
One advantage of documenting the work flow and showing it to
operators is that it removes the “fault” for a poor method from
the operator. If you see waste and point it out to operators, they
will likely explain why it is necessary (defending the method,
which they own). If you diagram the work and show operators
the diagram, they are likely to respond, “Look at the poor work
pattern. We should change that!”TIP
The Operator Is Your Most Important Resource
The Toyota Way philosophy is that the operator, not the machine,
is the most important asset. The machine serves the person, not
the other way around. Toyota believes that it is disrespectful to the
individual to waste his or her value by waiting for a machine to
complete its cycle. The Standardized Work Combination Table is
used to gain an understanding of the man/machine relationship
and to effectively utilize the human asset.