Batching vs. OPF

Batching vs. One Piece Flow: Which is the Best Approach for Your Projects?

If you’re familiar with the concepts of batching and one-piece flow, you may have heard conflicting opinions about which one is faster or more efficient. At first glance, batching might seem like the faster approach, but when we dive into the details, the truth may surprise you. In this blog, I’ll explain both concepts and why one-piece flow is often the better approach, especially when it comes to efficiency and productivity.

What is Batching?

Batching refers to completing a single step for multiple items at once. Think of it like making pancakes – you would cook 10 pancakes, then butter them all, and finally add syrup to all of them before serving. You’re completing each step in bulk, which is a common practice in many industries.

However, in construction or other industries where precision and speed are crucial, batching can slow things down, and here’s why. When you batch processes, you’re performing the same task for a large group before moving on to the next step. This means you’re working in large chunks and dealing with delays between each step.

What is One Piece Flow?

One piece flow, on the other hand, is all about focusing on one task at a time. Instead of completing a step for multiple items, you do it for just one and move on to the next task as soon as it’s finished. If we use the pancake example again, you’d cook one pancake, butter it, add syrup, and serve it – then move on to the next one. This might seem slower at first, but in fact, it’s far more efficient.

In construction, one piece flow might mean completing one process fully before moving on to the next, without waiting for all items to be processed. This ensures that each task is finished correctly and promptly.

Why One Piece Flow is Faster:

Although we’ve all been taught that batching is faster, the truth is that one piece flow leads to faster completion times. Why? It’s all about reducing context switching and eliminating unnecessary delays.

In one piece flow, as you focus on completing each step individually, you avoid the interruptions and delays that come from switching between multiple tasks. Instead of waiting for one part of a process to finish before moving on, you’re completing each task quickly and without delay.

A Real-World Example:

Let’s look at a company that specializes in exterior inspections and consulting. Initially, they were running late on reports every day because they used batching. They would do one inspection, but leave the report and follow-up email for later. This would cause them to fall behind on tasks throughout the day, leading to delays.

Once they switched to one piece flow, they completed the inspection and report for each job before moving on to the next. This shift allowed them to complete more inspections each day, reduce delays, and ultimately get their reports out on time. The results were remarkable, and the team was happier and more productive.

The Benefits of One Piece Flow:

There are several key benefits to using one piece flow:

• Faster Completion: Focusing on one task at a time eliminates wasted time and allows for quicker completion.
• Reduced Errors: By completing each task fully, you’re able to ensure that everything is done right before moving on.
• Improved Efficiency: One piece flow helps streamline processes, reducing bottlenecks and delays.

Tools and Resources to Help You Implement One Piece Flow:

If you’re looking to implement one piece flow in your operations, there are several resources that can help. From specialized software to insightful articles and blogs, you can find plenty of tools to assist in transitioning from batching to one piece flow.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, adopting one piece flow can drastically improve the speed and efficiency of your processes. Whether you’re working in construction or any other industry, focusing on completing one task at a time, rather than batching, will save you time and increase your overall productivity.