Understanding Short Interval Control (SIC)

Short Interval Control or SIC is a process for driving productivity improvements throughout a production shift. The schedule is split into short intervals of time where operators can use production data to identify any improvement actions. The short timescale means that any issues have not been allowed to continue for an extended period of time.

Ideally, Short Interval Control is used alongside the usual daily meetings and links closely with Kaizen as it’s used to identify areas to improve the products and processes. It also encourages operatives to work together as teams to incrementally improve the production process.

The key benefit of using Short Interval Controls is that all decisions are based on data, not opinion, and increased overall OEE improvements happen at a much faster rate than without SIC. Continuous Improvement is part of workers’ daily life, and employees are engaged and empowered to change and improve.

It’s important to structure SIC meetings in order to maximise success and to ensure that the team are not taken away from the factory floor for too long. A key to success is the four-part SIC meeting technique…