Digital Work Instructions That People Will Use

Digital work instructions (DWIs) promise standardization, but too often fail because they’re built for auditors — not operators. To succeed, DWIs must be fast, visual, and useful at the point of work.

1. Design for Usability

• Show only the steps relevant to the current variant or batch.
• Use photos, short videos, and diagrams — not text walls.
• Optimize for touchscreens and gloves: big buttons, large fonts.

2. Connect to Real Data

Dynamic DWIs adapt automatically based on PLC or MES inputs. If a torque sensor reports out-of-range, the instruction updates or flags a deviation immediately.

3. Feedback Loops

Enable operators to mark unclear steps and suggest improvements. A simple “Was this helpful?” button feeds a continuous improvement loop.

Example

An electronics assembler cut training time by 40% by deploying contextual DWIs on tablets linked to order data. Operators completed more builds with fewer reworks.

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Conclusion

Digital work instructions work when they remove friction — not add it. Build them for operators, not auditors, and adoption will follow naturally.