Operator involvement in digital dashboard implementation : Stora Enso case study

Abstract

Store Enso recently implemented digital dashboards at their production floors. They wanted to better include their operators in the implementation and further development of the dashboards. This thesis investigates how operators use digital dashboards to aid their production activities and how operators can better be involved in the implementation and development process of Industry 4.0 technologies. A narrative literature review alongside a case study of operators and production managers from Stora Enso’s two mills was conducted to answer these questions.

Two use cases for digital dashboards on production floors was identified. Operators use digital dashboards alongside their other production tasks, where the operators quickly glance at the dashboards Second use case is operators accessing more detailed production information often from a wider timeframe. With the first scenario operators the use of dashboards shouldn’t interfere with the operator’s other duties. The second scenario already requires the operator to analyse more detailed information which disrupts their other activities. This means that accessing more detailed production information can have more steps involved in accessing it.

Aligning how management and operators view the use of new technologies is needed so that expectations, usage, and perceived benefits are understood across an organization. This alignment helps ensure that operators not only use the technology effectively but also feel a sense of ownership about further developing their use. This provides companies more adaptability through more effective use of their workforce’s knowledge.