Improving
your methods
Date: may 2025
Written By: Thomas Ilskov
TWI Job Methods at Grundfos
Last week, I had the privilege of delivering a TWI Job Methods training course at Grundfos. It was a great experience for everyone involved. Job Methods is the lesser-known sister of the well-known Job Instruction.
The Power of Small Daily Improvements
It is the skill of making small daily improvements, rather than huge investments or long considerations. It trains the mind to look for details that can easily be improved and provide immediate benefits.
The definition: “Job Methods will help you deliver greater quantities of quality products and services in less time by making the best use of manpower, machines and materials.”
When the Japanese were trained in Job Methods back in the late 1940s, they did the same as we did in Denmark. They translated it. In Japanese, the programme is called ‘Kaizen no shi kata’. And yes, it is a method of improvement.
Structure and Focus of the Training
The training lasts four days and consists of a mix of theory and practical exercises based on real work, with the aim of discovering improvements.
On the first day, we start with a constructed example of a simple task: making microwave shields and riveting metal sheets together. Throughout the exercise, we observe the supervisor of the person performing the task.
Applying the Method in Practice
We observe how the job is currently done and work through the four steps of Job Methods together. This is where we learn how to observe the job and discover its details, and then, using the Job Methods questioning technique, we learn to generate new ideas for improving the job.
Step 3 involves deciding which ideas to implement and how to improve the job. We then test the idea with the person doing the job and present it to management and other relevant stakeholders who may have an opinion on the job we are trying to improve.
After the exercise, we have the opportunity to practice independently in small groups. Over the following days we work on deepen our understanding of how work can be improved using TWI Job Methods. Discovering the details of the methodology
Participant Engagement
The engagement was good and driven by curiosity.
One of the participants had a reflection that some of the improvements we were working with didn’t have much impact on the production where to the Production manager noted:
“This improvement might not seem as much, finding a few seconds or a better way to do the job, but if we do one improvement daily it will have a huge impact on our production.”
Another participant said:
“It is amazing how simple it is, when you first see it. But it does take a few rounds to get it and master it.”
A third person added:
“I think this will be very helpful in our work with standardization and implementing standard work.”
All in all, a good 4 days of Job methods training with engaged and skilled people.
Hightlights
Highlights
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We are excited to see how companies implement TWI Job Methods in their organizations. TWI is more than just a method—it is a philosophy that can transform workplaces and create a sustainable future. Do you want to enhance your employee training and operational efficiency? Learn more about TWI certification programs and how they can revolutionize your business. Contact us here to find out how TWI can make a difference in your organization.
