Standard Work Sheet Template

The standard work sheet template consists of three interconnected documents. The **Standard Work Combination Sheet** shows a time-based chart of each work element in the operator's cycle — manual time, walk time, and machine time are distinguished by different line styles, making it clear where the operator is active and where they are waiting for machines. Total cycle time is compared against takt time to verify that the standard meets demand pace. The **Standard Work Layout** is a scaled diagram of the workstation showing machine positions, material locations, and the operator's standard walking path, numbered in sequence. This visual makes the standard method easy to understand and audit. The **Standard Work Instructions** provide detailed step-by-step written instructions for each element, supplemented with photos or diagrams for clarity. Together, these three documents completely describe how to perform the task efficiently, consistently, and safely.

Creating standard work starts with observation at the gemba (the actual workplace). Watch multiple operators perform the task and identify the best practices each uses. Time each work element with a stopwatch, observing at least 10 cycles. Select the best elements from each operator to create the optimized sequence. Verify that the total cycle time fits within takt time — if it does not, the process needs rebalancing or improvement before standardization. Create the combination sheet first, plotting manual, walk, and machine time for each element. Then create the layout diagram, drawing the operator path and marking material and tool locations. Finally, write the detailed instructions, including quality checks and safety reminders. Critically, involve the operators in this process — they provide insights that observers miss and are more likely to follow standards they helped create. Post the completed documents at the workstation for daily reference and training.

Standard work is the foundation of accurate production scheduling because it defines the reliable, repeatable cycle time that schedulers use to calculate capacity and plan delivery dates. Without standard work, cycle times vary by operator, shift, and day — making the production schedule unpredictable. With standard work, every operator follows the same method and achieves similar cycle times, making schedule adherence dramatically more reliable. When creating production plans in LinePlanner, base your time estimates on standard work cycle times rather than estimates or machine nameplate specifications. If actual performance consistently deviates from standard work times, investigate: either the standard needs updating (the process has changed) or operators need coaching (the standard is not being followed). Standard work also speeds up changeover scheduling because it defines the exact time each task takes, eliminating the guesswork that causes schedulers to either over-pad or under-estimate task durations.