The TWI Workbook: Essential Skills for Supervisors

by Patrick Graupp, Robert J. Wrona

Since the publication of its Shingo Prize-winning predecessor, TWI programs have seen steady growth in usage. As a true understanding of Standard Work has developed, the need for the TWI skills as fundamental tools to achieve Lean objectives has been solidified.



The TWI Workbook: Essential Skills for Supervisors, Second Edition has been completely updated to the latest terminology and practice. This edition includes revised forms and tools, as well as new examples that illustrate current day TWI practice. Emphasizing the importance of accident and injury prevention, this edition includes an entirely new section on Job Safety, a fourth TWI module that was developed in Japan using the identical TWI methodology of the original three programs introduced in the original work. This updated edition includes new chapters on: Four Steps of Job Safety: Preventing Accidents before They Happen Two Key Aspects to Safety: Things and People Practicing the JS Method TWI's Problem Solving Training

In addition to a new chapter on the TWI problem-solving methodology, this edition contains a new introduction with a more complete description of how TWI was reintroduced into American industry, including detailed information on the contribution TWI made at Toyota that was not available when the original book was published.



Focusing on how the TWI skills create and support standardized work as the foundation for Lean and continuous improvement, the book includes detailed explanations on how to determine important steps and find key points that lead the way to standardized work. A new section on making a balanced breakdown has also been added, with new examples of Job Instruction breakdowns. The book also features a new conclusion that compares the historical role of TWI with what companies today are experiencing using the TWI methodology.

356 pages, Paperback

First published February 13, 2006

Reviews

[Bob Wallner · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is TWI and how can it be successfully implemented? That is the over all theme of this book. I am passionate about lean and when I hear authors like Liker and Graban discussing this topic...It peaks my interest.

For a short book (under 200 pages) it took me a long time to read. I thought this book was really well written, but it is not a "sit down and read" type book. TWI is an action based methodology ... This book comes with several activities which made it tough sometimes to read. I love the methodolgies and I understand why successful companies like Toyota and Honda have adopeded much of these practices...or maybe they are successful because they adopted these practices.

My favorite section was on Job Relations. In my past life I was in charge of people, many people. I had never been trained on any of the JR. I had learned from listening to my father (a long time supervisor on the railroad and a high respected one) and trial by fire. I think we assume that if we put supervisors in the position they will "figure it out" from past experience I know that is not the best way.

I would definitely recommend this book and I think a copy with the JR pages flagged might get slipped into the Operations Manager's office.

[Mike Thelen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you don't know what TWI is, you'd better start reading. It was one of the foundations of the TPS.