1. The Cost of Miscommunication
In manufacturing, it can mean instructions being explained twice, drawings interpreted differently, incorrect machine set-up, rework, supervisors pulled away to clarify problems, delayed production or safety consequences.
Research gives us some useful examples:
Welsh manufacturing: A study based on a survey of 939 manufacturing firms found that 21% of respondents regarded communication barriers as problematic or very problematic for export performance. 29% believed their future trading performance would improve significantly if language skills within their firms improved.
Multilingual industrial workplaces: Research into language-related workplace accidents found that the issue can extend beyond simply speaking different languages. Language proficiency, literacy and the readability of work instructions can all contribute to misunderstandings. The review examined evidence from process industries, construction and other sectors internationally.
And sometimes the problem itself stays hidden: The same research notes that accident investigations do not always recognise language problems as an underlying factor, meaning organisations may identify what went wrong without identifying why communication contributed to it. https://www.sciencedirect.com/.../pii/S0957582019302319...
MC3 Method™ provides a structured way to diagnose where communication is creating operational problems, select appropriate tools, apply them in the workplace and evaluate what changes.
Where is the cost of miscommunication hiding in your organisation?
Find out where to start. Download the free MC3 Audit Toolkit and examine communication across your own systems and processes:
MC3 Method™ | Practical tools. Measurable progress.
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