Field guide / 07

Measure the work before claiming the time back

A shorter task can free capacity without reducing payroll or producing another paid job. Use this baseline to decide whether a process change, automation or custom tool is worth scoping with FaultZero. Separate hands-on effort from waiting and interruption.

01
Choose one repeatable task with a clear start and finish. Define what counts as a completed item before measuring it.
02
Record hands-on minutes across a representative set of items. Note unusual cases, interruptions and missing information rather than hiding them.
03
Track waiting time separately. A document that waits overnight has not necessarily consumed a full day of staff effort.
04
Repeat the measurement after the agreed change using comparable items. Include checking, rework and exception handling.
05
Ask what the released time could realistically support. Use a redeployable fraction of zero until a credible use has been identified.

Keep the boundary clear.

Time estimates are not guaranteed savings. Weekly capacity value equals hours multiplied by loaded hourly cost multiplied by the redeployable fraction. It is not cash profit or automatically lower expense.

A practical first conversation

Put one useful control into practice.

Tell Mike what your team is dealing with. We will confirm the fit and scope before you commit.

Discuss your shop