Weakness analysis

Do you know the feeling? Business is running smoothly, goods are being delivered to customers on time and the delivery rate is fine.

So is everything in order? Or could things be done better? Or cheaper, faster, more efficient? We often hear from customers: “Everything is fine, but we think it could be better”.

That’s when an analysis of weaknesses is called for, or even better, the search for optimisation possibilities and potential should begin.

The most important element of a vulnerability assessment: On-site recording

As part of the project work, weaknesses are identified, for example, through:

• Employee interviews
• Observation of processes, possibly combined with time recording
• Process details
• Capturing job data and structures

that show potential for improvement.

In addition to the on-site survey, we work with the client to define the data to be requested from the company for detailed analysis. This is where you benefit from a logistics consultant: the experienced staff at ORGAPLAN Logistics GmbH have a feel for the particularities of the process flow that can and should be specifically addressed.

In conjunction with industry-specific KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), we identify problem areas and prioritise solutions.

Possible phases of a weakness analysis:

1	Kick-off	Project initialization / organization Responsibilities / points of contact Schedule Availability of data / coordination of data to be prepared
2	Analysis	Acquisition/plausibility check of relevant data Analyses (goods flow, structural data, services, operational data, times, costs)
3	On-site recording	Material flow/information flow Floor space usage and capacity Warehousing technology, warehouse modules, arrangement Layout design Processes/organization/control Systems/aids Interviews/observing processes
4	Weaknesses/measures	Identification of weaknesses Catalogue of weaknesses with description of problems Design and rough conception of measures Evaluation of measures
5	Development of solution approaches	Final definition of solution approaches Evaluation of effort and effect Program of measures Recommendation for further action
6	Master plan with implementation strategy	Detailed coordination of processes, organization and layout Implementation steps/levels Dates/milestones

Weaknesses and potentials are unique

No two vulnerability assessments are the same, as every customer and their business is unique.

In some cases, specific questions are brought to the attention of the staff of ORGAPLAN Logistics GmbH:

• How can warehouse capacity be increased?
• What opportunities exist to improve performance?
• How can transport costs be minimised?

As with all projects, the necessary data is gathered and prepared. Combined with on-site meetings, we develop a complete picture of the customer’s day-to-day business.

Approaches: Leveraging potential

Often the first ideas for solutions come from talking to employees, because nobody knows the processes on site better than the people who carry them out every day.

With its cross-industry knowledge and experience, ORGAPLAN Logistics GmbH can develop solutions that would not have been possible without “outside” help.

Once actions have been identified and assessed, they need to be prioritised:

• Which actions are most urgent?
• Which ones can wait, and which ones are sensible but have little economic benefit?

In order to answer these questions, the customer and ORGAPLAN Logistics GmbH form a team to consider as many aspects as possible.

Many weak point analysis projects end at this point, just as many lead to a new project called

Implementation of measures and accompanying realisation. This is where we can help. There is nothing more exciting for us than putting our plans into practice!