This project was launched with the aim of reforming the workflow and working style of all employees to ensure the sustainable development of the Company. Productivity improvement requires three things: improved results, a reduced volume of work, and better work engagement. Improved results and a reduced work volume are equivalent to the existing operational improvement. The productivity improvement envisioned by this project is aimed at “operational improvement × improvement of each employee’s work engagement.” We formed a task team comprising the DTK appointees of relevant departments and each department to promote the project as a company-wide initiative.
In fiscal 2019, we focused on creating new ways of working in all divisions, including via digitization, while working to unify similar operations. In a company-wide achievement, we used digital technology to systematize contract management and create a workflow for approval applications. In addition, as department- specific projects, we worked to improve internal operational flows, cut unnecessary meetings, and reduce the frequency of meetings. In addition, regarding the progress of these efforts, we strove to disseminate information through our in-house information portal and enhance understanding through PR videos.
In fiscal 2020, we expanded the scope of activities included in this reform from the head office to branches, refineries, and complexes across the country. As a result, enthusiasm for reform has risen across the Company and we are evolving toward projects where employees are aware of the progress made. Our current reform themes are: Business Process Redesign (BPR), smart work, process digitization, and agile work. We will continue to search through various trials for the new workstyles we aim for while developing and enhancing specific measures.
In order to initiate the project, a kick-off meeting was held in which President Kito, Vice Chairman Kameoka, and the leader of each department attended. President Kito expressed his strong expectation for the project and determination to "complete the project as a management team", as well as the need to deepen business integration further. We could feel the enthusiasm from the departments’ leaders who are prepared with the improvement ideas arose from countless trials and errors in daily business operations. Finally, Vice Chairman Kameoka came up with his encouraging words, "Let's think about how much society and customers are expecting from our integration. Improving the quality of the integration starts from here, and all employees have must take the lead”.
In the first half of the workshop, practical training was conducted to understand the need for mutual understanding. In the second half, which is the team discussion, we shared our expectations and concerns regarding the progress of our project activities. On top of that, we also discussed about the project team’s role and technique in promoting DTK. The approach should not only come from the top but also from the middle and bottom to encourage better communication. As the discussion result, the team came up with the mission “Realizing corporate reform by optimizing various perspectives within the company regardless border through DTK Project”
We expanded the participants to all departments and conducted a mindset teambuilding to implement the project. In promoting the project to each department, we held workshops to comprehend better about the content (what to do) and the process (how is the feeling). Much of the training was devoted to discussion, and at the end, we established a team mission and action guidelines to "become a pioneer who revolves the spiral of work satisfaction and value creation as One Team!".