Leaders' Blog

“We use data mining tools to understand how individuals use the system and identify where we can work more effectively”

— Andrew Faulkner, Tools, Process and Planning Manager - Alstom

For manufacturers under increasing pressure to do more with less, improving productivity does not necessarily mean expanding the workforce. Instead, the biggest opportunities may already exist within the systems and processes organisations use every day.

Speaking ahead of the Leaders Summit, Andrew Faulkner shared how Alstom Group is using its digital ecosystem and data mining tools to identify inefficiencies, reduce waste and improve the way employees work.

A key focus is understanding how digital systems are actually being used. By analysing user behaviour, organisations can identify deviations from standard processes and understand why they are happening. This insight can then inform better communication, targeted training and process improvements.

The impact can be significant. Andrew explained that the introduction of data mining tools has drastically reduced rework, while enabling more decisions to be made within the process itself. This allows employees to focus their time on higher-value activities and creates opportunities to share best practice between sites.

However, productivity improvements are not simply about implementing more technology. Manufacturers also need to identify where existing systems are being bypassed or manipulated. When employees move outside core systems to manage problems, they often resort to manual processes, spreadsheets and other workarounds.

This creates two problems: valuable time is spent on administration and firefighting, while the organisation loses access to accurate operational data that could be used to identify and remove bottlenecks.

By strengthening digital adoption, eliminating unnecessary manual work and ensuring employees follow efficient standard processes, manufacturers can unlock productivity from within their existing operations.

Ultimately, the goal is not simply to work faster, but to remove the waste that prevents people and processes from performing at their best.

Andrew Faulkner

Tools, Process and Planning Manager, Alstom