Analysing Logistics 6: Plain Old Observation

Observation, a conventional method of qualitative business research (Saunders et al., 2020), can identify process disruptions and help formulate change recommendations (Paul and Cadle, 2020). Observation of operations will confirm the Ishikawa or system model, and/or suggest alternatives to be investigated.

Workers can be observed performing tasks in real time, allowing comparisons with standard operating procedures. Notes can be taken, movements tracked, behaviours noted. Assembled orders can be compared with despatch lists; storage checks can ascertain whether SKUs are labelled and located correctly; malpractice (such as tossing of cartons or dropping of packages into incorrect despatch zones) may also be noted and addressed in real-time.