The imperatives of operational efficiency and cost effectiveness remain fundamental to postal organisations. It is vital that there is continued focus on improving service performance, minimising sorting errors, managing costs, effective utilisation of both labour and appropriate equipment, ensuring processes are as efficient as they can be and managing low or slipping performance. Improving the mail sorting operations include key functions that our specialist consultants can facilitate.
Process improvement
- Identification of current work practices and unproductive work processes and activities
- Recommendations on best practice improvement and management
- Ensure implementation of appropriate operational processes to minimise mis-sorts and speedy redirection of the exceptions
- Incorporation of purpose-designed mail sorting and container equipment, such as the vertical and horizontal sorting cases
- Documentation of processes and coaching of management on implementing new and changed processes
- Layout and work flow improvement
- Development of training programmes and change management strategies.
Improved performance management
- Forecasting, planning, scheduling, monitoring and reporting
- Consultation and collaboration with management, team leaders and staff to finalise KRAs (Key Result Areas) and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for mail sorting operations
- Development of KPIs for processing roles
- Development of a Balanced Scorecard for mail sorting operations down to work areas or team
- Incorporation of operational process management systems
- Management coaching and assistance to implement an improved performance management framework
Change management
- Advice and expertise on implementing the change process
- Coaching of management and team leaders on staff communication processes and guidance with materials
- Development of and assistance with training for management and staff.
Improvements to human resources, industrial relations, health and safety, security and other policy areas
- Advice and expertise on developing new policies and implementing new practices
- Training or coaching of management and team leaders.
Mail Network Optimisation
- Network design planning involving operational simulation and optimisation modelling using predictive volume data
- Visualisation and selection of the optimal Mail Network design
- Re-design of the transport network to fit the new mail processing network and meet customer service standards
- Design, layout and project change management of mail processing centres
Mail automation technology
- Simulation and optimisation modelling to determine automation requirements. Includes the optimal location of automation technology in the mail processing network
- Independently undertaking a full procurement process of selected automation technology
- Installation of new sorting technology, including maximising the sort and read rates
- Implementation of new procedures, processes and workflows as a result of new automation technology