Common Language

A concept and business control that ensures that all members of an organization mean the same thing when communicating. Every company has its own set of colloquialisms that become ingrained in the culture. For monolithic organizations, and for organizations that go by promotion within, common language is often cultural and needs little attention.

But for an organization that acquires other companies, uses subcontractor or co-packers, or frequently hires seasonal or professional help from outside, common language requires focus and attention to ensure clear communication.

Subtle differences may be very important, and some differences may even be critical. Sometimes the difference may be simply mathematical, as is the case in various OEE calculations - no two organizations will calculate OEE exactly the same way. This is fine, but can be a problem if 2 of your plants calculate it differently and no one knows! Differences may be in terminology - how many different acronyms are out there for the form and process to get an a project or acquisition approved, funded and recorded.

If one person talks about cpk as a statistical measure of central tendency and spread, and another uses the same acronym to mean “count per kilo”, meanings can be drastically different!

A key advantage of enterprise systems and common systems is that they assist in promoting a common language.