Program on Studies Right at Workplace in Action

Striving for a permanent enhancement of the quality of the services that we provide, our University aims to achieve zero defects in all its activities. Numerous standards are being developed to meet this goal; they make it possible to control our quality. A lot of attention is paid to teaching staff right at their workplace. Our University, as a real organism, has no more or less significant units. Work of each and every staff member of our University determines if we will be able to meet the demands of our clients, to provide a supporting environment that is necessary for our students’ efficient studies and accommodation, for our staff members’ productive work. That is why each and every member of our staff ought to strive for a permanent self-improvement.

On September 19, 2014, the Unit of Human Resources Development of ASU launched one of its programs of studying right at one’s workplace. The program aims to enhance output of our administrative staff, as well as of the staff of the Profit cleaning company that provides its services to our University, in accordance with the present-day quality standards. Before launching it, staff of the Unit monitored the process and the outcomes of activities of the staff of that cleaning company. Some problems and deviations from quality standards have been revealed. At the first meeting, which was of mobilization character, particular fields of work improvement have been determined. Game modeling has helped understand the issues of cleaning processes regulation.

On October 01, the first master class to clean the dining hall of the canteen in Hostel 1 has been held. Staff of the Profit Company has demonstrated a technology of efficient routine cleaning works in premises of this type. A business game has been held; its main goal was to learn the standards of such activities. The following issues have been under consideration at this event:

• Arrangement of proper supervision of work that the Profit Company’s staff performs;
• Search and elimination of defects; optimized application of human and material resources; Reduction of costs;
• Requirements towards the staff’s appearance;
• Communication and internal relations;
• Behavior standards.

The event has passed in a vivid atmosphere; it has been quite productive. Staff of the Profit Company has remarked that such learning programs are definitely essential. As a result of such joint learning activities, one of the key principles of lean production and Dao Toyota practices is provided: “Respect your partners and suppliers, set them challenging tasks, and help them enhance their work”. The next master class is to be held on October 09, 2014.