4 Practical Ways To Boost Workforce Productivity Within The Warehouse

Managing a warehouse can be challenging, especially in terms of keeping up and improving the Workforce's efficiency. Warehouse managers must constantly work on improving workflows, streamlining processes through automation, and reducing time and resources.

A warehouse consists of many complex processes with numerous machinery and tasks running simultaneously. Most of the processes in a warehouse are optimized to maximize productivity. There are many areas to enhance warehouse efficiency. However, finding the right area where applying efforts to boost productivity is likely to pay off can be tricky.

Here are four practical ways to help assess your current warehouse operations, identify areas for improvement, and eradicate unproductive processes.

1. Maintain a systematic process that records everything

Even though it is common to maintain a record of inventory processes, several warehouse managers fail to make the most of the recorded insights. As per industry experts, insights regarding errors can be used effectively when perceived as indicators of chronic failures within the warehouse.

The ideal method to identify errors in various processes is to precisely record every change in the training processes of new workers, implementation of novel technologies, or any other modifications in the warehouse operations. Careful analysis of errors in existing processes can help improve warehouse operations significantly.

2. Emphasize processes that strengthen liability

Before forming a system or procedure in the warehouse, managers should understand the necessity of running a particular process or system. Sometimes, potential benefits from the processes backfire when employees side-step the set system or ignore set protocols. Most of the time, a mistake or error made at the beginning of the process is not a significant concern for the person who made the mistake – they know a team member down the line will encounter the error and mend the issue for them.

To avoid such incidences, it is advisable to develop a workflow within the warehouse that builds a liability structure and emphasizes the significance of precision. For instance, form a space for packers to put down incorrect inventory and ask them to have it fixed by the person who has committed the error, instead of fixing it themselves. The short-term losses in productivity will be recovered in the long term by employees who are more observant of minute details and strictly follow established processes.

3. Invest in advanced training programs for employees

Investing in advanced technologies and training programs that empower the workforce to do their jobs efficiently is vital. Implementing such practices and technologies will help build a “lean” culture and develop a labor force that can work in an organized manner, thus persistently enhancing warehouse efficiency.

Implementing a lean inventory in the warehouse is as essential as it is in manufacturing. The basic principle of lean culture is doing only what is needed, and nothing more. In addition, offering training to managers and other staff regarding improving productivity can greatly help eradicate knowledge barriers in the workflow and enhance warehouse productivity.

4. Introduce proficient leadership on the work floor

Irrespective of the company's overall efforts in optimizing the warehouse, redundant and pointless activities will creep in over time. Unfortunately, that's the nature of the beast. Moreover, the tiresome nature of countless warehouse tasks makes these practices tough to resolve and challenging to identify until they snowball into a huge problem.

A simple way to help recognize such activities in no time is to ask someone with a higher level of experience to examine and review the warehouse floor to detect loopholes and mistakes. While doing so, ask them to question “why” things are being done in a particular manner rather than “how”. Getting a review of the work floor by an external expert, who is not involved in the everyday workflow, will help unearth redundant processes and practices.

Technology can be a key player in maintaining workforce efficiency

Examining current processes and machines to detect loopholes and other issues, enabling process advances, hiring a proficient workforce, and retaining quality staff can help address most challenges and improve a warehouse’s productivity. However, doing all of this manually isn't usually feasible.

Technological advances in logistics, such as the implementation of automated robots, can enormously impact warehouse efficiency. Besides, advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning solutions, efficient warehouse management software, and many other technology solutions can give a massive thrust to the overall productivity of a warehouse.

Several warehouse managers know that their work processes aren’t entirely optimal, but they lack the right tools, time, and strategies to improve the current condition of the warehouse. Usually, mid-sized warehouses lack coordination and fail to keep track of employee working hours, which results in massive workforce inefficiencies. However, innovative technologies can help warehouse managers recover these inefficiencies and boost warehouse productivity effortlessly.

Don’t hesitate to implement innovative technologies

Even if you and your team are not tech-savvy, some easy-to-use, cutting-edge technology solutions can help transform a low-performing workforce into a highly productive team. For instance, an advanced warehouse management system (WMS) can help optimize processes. It can ensure that all the operations are carried out in an organized manner, and every worker is giving their best to meet the required productivity expectations. A WMS does this by keeping an eye on the warehouse’s design, tracking and maintaining inventory, picking & packing products, receiving and putting away products, shipping, carrying out labor management, and reporting. 

Using a quality, standalone WMS can reduce a lot of manual work and eradicate possible errors. Nowadays, cloud-based solutions are considered the best type of WMS for nearly any business in the modern world. Many other helpful warehouse management solutions are available in the market. For instance, you can use voice-enabled technology - by using earphones. Order pickers can be given instructions regarding where to go, what to pick, and where to deliver. This makes the entire process much more well-organized than letting order pickers waste time reading order sheets or taking verbal instructions from a manager. 

Technology solutions can aid warehouse managers in planning and managing resources, synchronizing workforce shifts, and making proper use of space during times of pressure or decelerated workload. Many companies offer solutions to streamline manufacturing processes as well. For instance, Fashinza, a tech-enabled manufacturing platform for fashion brands, is an ideal choice for companies willing to simplify manufacturing processes and boost workforce efficiency. It helps tackle all the sourcing challenges and streamline the pathway for new brands in the fashion manufacturing industry with its innovative digital sourcing and manufacturing platform.

The bottom line

In today’s digital age, one of the ultimate solutions for reducing factory-floor problems is implementing a real-time production management system. At Fashinza, we offer complete digitization of the production management and procurement process to enhance workforce efficiency within the warehouse. If you want to streamline product manufacturing, wipe out the non-productive hours of workers, and optimize manufacturing processes, sign up to Fashinza today! The more well-organized a warehouse is, the more productive it is. Time is, after all, money!