What are its characteristics?

It is an organisational learning instrument based on informal training where technical and practical knowledge are combined. Good practices and experiences are shared with theoretical concepts.

It is integral because improvements are studied and proposed not only for productive processes but also for working conditions, such as health and safety management at work and also attitudes, such as neatness, order and absences. The corresponding indicators are standardised according to a single standard: effectiveness.

It is flexible because it can be adapted to any organisation that has objectives and can easily adapt to new aims or goals. From the human perspective, it becomes an instrument that facilitates constant changes in organisations, allowing the staff to take part in those changes.

It is continuous because involvement and constant improvement are never-ending; however, at the same time, they are organised according to cycles in such a way that the process can be assessed and updated whenever it is necessary.

It is comprehensive because it involves all staff members, from the lowest job positions to the managing director. Its starting point is the belief that details are an essential component of a system to improve productivity; improvements made by each person in their position within the enterprise are important.

What are the benefits brought by PROMES?

PROMES contributes to turn the culture of work into a working environment of cooperation and trust by means of effective and constant communication between senior management, middle management and operational workers, with the aim of achieving the objectives of each area. It helps to standardise the operational criteria among all members of staff, aligning them with the mission, vision and values of the organisation. It facilitates an involvement in projects concerning quality, technical change or organisational. It creates continuous improvement actions by means of the commitment and follow-up of both parties.

To what type of organisation can it be applied?

PROMES works well in any type of organisation at every level. It has been applied in large organisations but also at micro and small ones; in the same way, it has both been applied to production areas and administrative and management areas. As long as there is an interest in setting up and providing systematic follow-up to objectives, PROMES can be used as an instrument to measure and improve them.

Access PROMES's Web Site.

---

Report on the Seventh National Meeting of PROMES (Productivity Measurement and Enhancement System) and Decent Work on Sugar Refineries, ILO-CINTERFOR, Guadalajara (Jal.), 12-13 May. Ten years of PROMES in the sugar industry: evaluation and perspectives.