Motion Is the Enemy

In the visual workplace, motion is defined as moving without working. And if you are not working, you are not being productive. So what forms of motion do we need to look out for and minimize? Author Gwendolyn Galsworth gives a good list on page 38 of her book, Visual Workplace/Visual Thinking. Forms of wasted motion include searching, wandering, guessing, re-checking, re-handling, re-counting, re-testing, interrupting, stopping, and waiting.

Libraries are full of excess motion - looking for books, wandering due to poor signage, proximity of receiving docks to acquisitions and interlibrary loan departments, re-training student workers, searching for files, etc. By conducting a motion analysis of our various workstations, work areas, service stations, and collection areas, we can eliminate a large amount of unnecessary motion. We will be happier, more productive employees, and our patrons will be more efficient as well.