Benchmarks are a welcome mat, not a mattress

Our industry case studies show 80 – 85 % as a solid “good”. Nice, but if the mix shifts and you still chase last year’s number, you are coasting.

The Lean idea behind a moving target

Lean loves stretch goals that are just out of reach. A dynamic grade is nothing more than:

Today’s target = Last week’s sustained best + 0.5 pt

That 0.5 pt nudge is small enough to believe, big enough to feel. Change the increment if your culture needs a gentler slope.

What data you actually need

Forget PhDs. You already log three counts: Planned time, Good parts, All parts. Add two extra signals from MDCplus and you have a richer picture:

1. Short stops < 5 min – automatic from machine states

2. Tool change timestamps – quick barcode scan at the bench

That is enough to flag micro-losses and tooling creep without drowning operators in columns.

How to run the cycle

Repeat until the grade flattens for three weeks – then trim the increment to 0.2 pt or switch focus from Availability to Performance.

Where machine data lifts the load

• Auto-timestamped stops kill the “stopwatch politics” debate.

• Live cycle-time charts surface creeping feed overrides before quality shouts.

• Quick compare of shifts lets operators compete in the open – peer rivalry beats management sermons.

A light touch of AI, if you want it

MDCplus can throw a forecast that suggests tomorrow’s target based on patterns in downtime and scrap. Treat it like weather: a hint, not a command. Operators still own the board.

One-line case snapshot

Switch-gear plant, Line 3: static goal 80 %. After eight weekly nudges the target sat at 83 %, actual grade hit 83.4 %. Zero capex – just disciplined boards and machine signals.

Common traps and simple fixes

• Target leapfrogs too fast – cap weekly rise at 1 pt.

• Data gap on legacy machines – cheap current-sensor + digital input covers uptime.

• Board fatigue – rotate the crew member who presents numbers; fresh voice resets attention.

About MDCplus

Our key features are real-time machine monitoring for swift issue resolution, power consumption tracking to promote sustainability, computerized maintenance management to reduce downtime, and vibration diagnostics for predictive maintenance. MDCplus's solutions are tailored for diverse industries, including aerospace, automotive, precision machining, and heavy industry. By delivering actionable insights and fostering seamless integration, we empower manufacturers to boost Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), reduce operational costs, and achieve sustainable growth along with future planning.