Quiz time: What significance does the yin and the yang have in discussing standardized training? I suggest that you pause and guess (and then read on for the answer).

OK, we all get it, standards are a part of our lives in the business world, and they are gaining more and more focus as companies become leaner. Some of you may be aware of, or use, any of the following terms:
• Standard work
• Standard work sheet
• Standard work combination sheets
• Leader standard work

Many of you are also familiar with management systems standards like ISO 9001, ISO 14001, or OHSAS 18001, which have the purpose of ensuring that all companies registered to these standards will have the basic foundational management systems to ensure quality, environmental responsibility, and employee safety, respectively. Many of these encourage the use of standardized processes, procedures, control plans, and/or work instructions.

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