Unit AEF04

K1 	Describe the health and safety requirements of the area in which they are
carrying out the business improvement activities


K2 	Explain the importance of following a systematic Plan, Do, Check, Act
(PDCA) approach to problem-solving and business improvement


K3 	Outline the implications of not taking account of legislation, regulations,
standards and guidelines when conducting business improvement activities


K4 	Explain the importance of applying the appropriate behaviours in the
workplace and the implications for both the apprentice and the business if
these are not adhered to


K5 	Describe what is meant by business improvement and how continuous
improvement activities can benefit a company


K6 	Outline the application of the seven key measures of competitiveness
(delivered right first time, delivery schedule achievement, people
productivity, stock turns, overall equipment effectiveness, value added per
person, floor space utilisation)


K7 	Describe how to obtain and interpret information on the
engineering/manufacturing operation or process requirements (eg customer
specifications and instructions, quality control requirements, product
drawings/specification, methods and techniques to be used)


K8 	Explain the eight wastes (over-production, inventory, transport, overprocessing,
waiting time, operator motion, bad quality, failure to exploit
human potential) and how to eliminate these forms of waste in a process or
operation


K9 	Explain the steps in a 5S/5C audit and a `red tag' exercise and Describe
how to carry them out


K10 	Explain how to score and audit the 5S/5C exercise


K11 	Explain the importance of arranging and labelling the necessary equipment
for rapid identification and access


K12 	Describe how to use “root cause” problem solving analysis using the 5
whys/how technique


K13 	Describe methods of evaluating improvement ideas in order to select those
that are to be pursued


K14 	Describe how improvements to the process could be achieved by engaging
the knowledge and experience of the people working on the process


K15 	Explain the importance of creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
and of relating work activities to them


K16 	Describe the methods that can be used to communicate information using
visual control systems (eg Kanban systems, card systems, colour coding,
floor footprints, graphs, team boards, tool/equipment shadow boards)


K17 Describe how information can be displayed differently depending on various