Using Operator Scorecards to Drive Mining Fleet Productivity

Implementation of Operator Scorecards is a meaningful event in the life of any mine site. If you are a newer mine with an operations team still finding their groove, or an established operation with deep knowledge and site experience (and maybe some bad habits!), when faced with the change of implementing a systematic change such as Operator Scorecards, there are always challenges.

Operator Scorecards create value by prompting a discussion between mine site equipment operators and leaders in regard to their individual performance. Leaders are given a structured opportunity to provide clear, articulate feedback around KPIs, and operators are given the opportunity to understand where they sit with management and relative to their peers.

Scorecards come in different shapes and sizes. Outliers Mining Solutions Mining Solutions have implemented Operator Scorecards at multiple mining operations around the world and our consultants know the most efficient and effective ways to design and implement these tools for maximum results.

Operator Scorecards should always be designed to contain both behavioral and performance KPIs which the operators are either fully or partially in control of. The KPIs should be in line with the operations’ overall performance metrics that are being monitored as well.

Scorecards take advantage of the Hawthorne Effect, which is the tendency of people to change their behaviour if they know they are being observed.

KPIs should also be in line with site safety expectations. For example, if there are areas where trucks should be driving slower, or intersections that need to be respected (maybe a crossing with light vehicle traffic), data can be pulled from Fleet Management Systems to confirm that drivers are respecting the established safety practices for these areas, and KPIs designed to reinforce this behaviour.

Below are some examples of typical KPIs that Outlier’s would include in Scorecards for Haul Truck Operators at open-pit mines.

Behavioural KPIs:

• # of tonnes loaded and/or dumped in the first hour and last hour of the shift
• The average amount of Miscellaneous delay time coded per shift
• Average travel speed in the first and last hour of the shift

Performance KPIs:

• Average spotting time
• Average dumping time
• Average stopped time in the cycle

When implementing an Operator Scorecard program, ensuring that the targets that are set initially are achievable is just as important as the KPIs that are chosen. If almost all of the operators are not achieving the target, then there will be a perception that the leadership’s expectations are unreasonable. However, if the initial targets are selected so that around half of the operators are meeting or exceeding the target, the lower performers will realize that the targets are achievable and be motivated to receive coaching and feedback as to how to improve.

When rolling out a Scorecard program, clear communication, and alignment on the expectations of leadership is key to the sustainability of their use and potential. Displaying the scorecard information in descending order charts (see example below) can be intimidating and drive very strong responses from operators.

Outliers Mining Solutions recommends emphasizing that the scorecards are an opportunity for all Operators to understand how their behaviour and performance impact the operation and that they will be used to identify training needs for the operators who aren’t performing at the same level as the rest.

Successful implementations of Operator Scorecards allow for the operation to establish a culture of performance management and expectation that everyone can improve to the benefit of the site safety and business results.

To Learn more about Operator Scorecards and how they can help take your mining operation to the next level, contact us today.