Improve your efficiency. Thoughts at the beginning of the year
How can we be more efficient?
Probably one of the most stated goals in airline business nowadays. With this initial blog I would like to start a series of future blogs that shall give a more holistic approach towards this important business goal.
“One of our goal for 2016 will be to improve our efficiency”, my boss announced two weeks ago in our 2016 initial team-meeting. ”E-F-F-I-C-I-E-N-C-Y” – probably one of the most stated goals in business nowadays. Many of you in the airline business might have heard this aim as well for the upcoming year.
But how to reach this goal?” In my special case - being a consultant for a Weight & Balance Solution that helps airline load control departments to improve their efficiency - my personal thoughts about our internal goals were: “At least my potential airline clients face a better situation: They can go easily for more efficiency by automating their load control processes with a smart IT Solution”. As a result, one Load Controller can be more productive by managing more flights in one shift – and become more EFFICIENT! Means: GOAL ACHIEVED!”
Sounds easy, doesn’t it? STOP! NO! Unfortunately just implementing a highly automated system for Load Control doesn´t automatically mean that your efficiency will explode. It can happen – but it is not a 100% guarantee.
Why am I saying this? During my airline software consultancy for multiple operational products, like Operations Control, Crew Management, Hub Management and now Load Control - I saw some departments using highly automated solutions – but also working very inefficiently. Therefore I was asking myself: “Why are they using highly automated software but are not as efficient as they could be? What might be the reason?”
I decided to dig into this topic with a more holistic view. As a result I found out, that a bunch of additional soft- and hard factors outside any automated IT system influence the efficiency of a department as well. These factors might be:
- Correct usage of the system
- Cultural influence
- Psychology about automation
- Organization of information
- Organizational aspects
- Monitoring of performance
As some of above mentioned factors are not tangible, very often they are not considered when the efficiency might be below expectations – even with the best IT support.
Does this at the end mean, I don´t need automated IT solutions? Not at all. Automation and IT are the basic factors for the improvement of efficiency – but the extent of the results is demonstrable being influenced by above factors.
In my future blog posts I will share my thoughts about how these factors might influence the efficiency of your organization. As I am currently working in the Load Control field, I will put my focus here. My next article will start with correct usage of a system. I would be happy if you stay with me in the future - and of course happier about your feedback.
Related articles:
Improve Your Load Control Efficiency (2) - Correct Usage of the System:
https://www.lhsystems.de/blog-entry/improve-your-load-control-efficiency-2-correct-usage-system
Improve your Load Control efficiency (3): Why culture matters!
https://www.lhsystems.de/blog-entry/improve-your-load-control-efficiency-3-why-culture-matters
Improve your Load Control efficiency (4): Why the auto-load button doesn´t always make your life easier…:
Improve your Load Control Efficiency, Part 5.1: Organizational Aspects:
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Feb 02, 2016
About the author
Starting at the frontline with the Check In, I accumulated more than 20 years of varied airline experience within the Lufthansa Group.
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Comments
Our company is providing handling services for 30 different customers. 50% of all flights are beeing handled in several different CLC environments. So far I have not seen a gain in efficiency. Two agents are doing the work, which has been done before the switch to CLC by one agent.
The only advantage is, that less loadcontrollers need to be trained.
With the introduction of new technology like smart scanners, the complete loadcontrol process could be changed. For a successful implementation you however need specialists who have a clear understanding of the complete handling process including the requirements and restrictions at airports.
Dear Stefan,
thank you very much for your comment. I have two questions:
What do you think might be the reason for this inefficient development?
Could you specifiy your idea of how smart scanners could improve the process?
Thanks.
Kind Regards
Michael Muzik