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Archive for the 'Operational Excellence' CategoryHow is the Quest for Safety Like the Task of Sisyphus? The Unending Task of Sisyphus Do you know the myth of Sisyphus? He was condemned to push a boulder up a hill. When he reached the top, the boulder would roll back down. Then Sisyphus would run down the hill and push the boulder up again. (more…) Posted July 14th, 2010 in Observations, Operational Excellence“Biggest Cause of Serious Error…Is A Failure of Communication”Finn O’Sullivan is a project executive for a company that builds skyscrapers. He is quoted in The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right, by Atul Gawande. Those who construct skyscrapers rely on one checklist to make sure all the many steps in planning and construction are completed. (more…) Posted June 16th, 2010 in Human Factors, Leadership, Operational ExcellenceBooster Pumps & Boosters for People – Run to Failure?A liquids pipeline often uses booster pumps to provide necessary pressure to move product from a tank into a pump on the pipeline. These booster pumps are generally reliable, but do not last forever. It is necessary to have a spare booster pump on hand, for when the booster pump in use fails. Most pipeline operations run the pump to failure and then install the spare. The pump that failed is then repaired, and becomes the spare. One can question a maintenance philosophy that runs equipment until it fails, but it is a common philosophy. A booster pump may run for several years before the motor or other component fails. The key is to have a spare booster pump always on hand. A decision one has to make is how many spares to have on hand. Is one enough, or should they be more? (more…) Posted July 17th, 2009 in Human Factors, Managing Fatigue, Operational Excellence |
