Batteries Demystified by Ramesh Natarajan
Batteries Demystified by Ramesh Natarajan
85. Experience is Valuable… Until It Starts Replacing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
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In every process-oriented industry, we invest heavily in technology, automation, and quality systems.
Yet one of the biggest causes of quality issues often has nothing to do with machines or materials.
It is the gradual drift away from “Standard Operating Procedures” (SOPs)—often by the most experienced employees who believe they know a “better” or “faster” way.
Have you experienced situations where overconfidence or informal shortcuts compromised quality? How does your organization ensure that SOPs are consistently followed while still encouraging continuous improvement?
Having spent over 42 years in the lead-acid battery industry, I have witnessed how seemingly insignificant deviations from SOPs can eventually lead to inconsistent quality, increased warranty claims, higher manufacturing costs, and dissatisfied customers.
Experience is invaluable, but it should strengthen SOP compliance—not replace it.
In my latest podcast, I share why SOPs are much more than documents—they are the collective wisdom of an organization, built on years of experience, trials, failures, and continuous improvement.
I also discuss practical ways organizations can strengthen SOP compliance without discouraging innovation.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic.
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