Pros & Cons of Digital Work Instruction Software

If you’ve been tasked with adopting a new work instruction system for your organization, you’re likely evaluating different options. Work instructions are often some of the most important documents in a business — they define how key processes should be conducted and ensure quality. And digital work instruction software is the perfect solution to facilitate effortless work instructions in a business organization. Let us evaluate some of the key pros and cons of digital work instruction software.

Pros

Accuracy and Consistency

Digital work instructions are automatically updated with the latest information, so the user will always have the most up-to-date information. This is particularly helpful in environments where processes or procedures change regularly or when quality assurance standards are subject to frequent revision. When changes to digital work instruction occur, they can be easily changed so that every team member can access them.

Adaptive content

Many digital work instruction solutions provide the ability to add, edit and track changes in content as new processes or equipment are introduced. This can be a great plus when you want to change something in your instructions but don’t want to reprint everything. You can also use this feature when multiple projects run simultaneously and need their changes without affecting the other projects.

Reduced Waste and Rework

One of the biggest pros of digital work instruction software is its ability to reduce waste and rework. Reducing waste means that you’ll have more time, money, and resources to focus on other projects instead of fixing mistakes that could have been avoided in the first place. There are fewer steps in creating a product or service with digital work instruction software. This means less potential for errors and better quality control throughout the entire process.

Reduced Time To Market

Your business needs to have a shorter time to market, as it can mean competitive advantage. Digital work instructions reduce the time it takes to create and publish instructions, so it could be that the company will be able to ship products sooner.

Cons

Fear of Transparency

Some managers are worried about what will be revealed. Many employees are afraid of the unknown and fear losing their jobs or being replaced by technology. The most common complaint is that the staffs are resistant to change, regardless of how good it can be for the company’s bottom line.

Costly

While digital work instructions can be convenient and cost-efficient, they also have several disadvantages. For example, the implementation of such software can be expensive. The cost may vary depending on the size and complexity of your company’s operations, but it’s usually not cheap. You’ll need to hire someone experienced with these programs or consult with an expert to help build and implement your digital instruction program. Once you’ve purchased the software itself, there will be ongoing costs associated with training employees on how to use it and maintaining and updating it when necessary—not to mention fixing any issues that arise from time to time!

Change is Hard

Change is hard. It takes time, effort, and money to implement changes in business. You have to teach your employees how to do things differently—and that’s where the fun begins! The good news is that digital work instruction software makes it easier for you to create new procedures or revise old ones by making them accessible through a web browser or mobile device.