Factory Firefighting
Check
A free production stability guide that helps you understand where firefighting is happening in your factory and why your process may rely on people instead of the system.
Why Use a Firefighting Check?
Many factories run in firefighting mode without realising it. Small workarounds become routine. Variation builds up between shifts. Issues repeat because the underlying process isn’t stable.
This guide helps you:
- See whether your factory is firefighting or running in control
- Spot where work relies on memory or key people
- Identify why issues repeat
- Get a clear view of process stability
- Check if your workflow is ready for digital tools
Created by Metis Automation with expert insight from Samantha Benbow, Process Improvement Specialist.
What’s inside:
The Firefighting Map
A simple comparison that helps you spot whether daily work leans toward firefighting or controlled production.
The 5‑Question Stability Check
Five quick questions that reveal where instability and friction enter your process.
Understanding Your Results
A short guide to help you interpret your answers and see where your process sits today.
Expert Insight
Practical guidance from Samantha Benbow on why firefighting becomes normal and how small changes can reduce it.
If You Want to Go Further
An overview of the Production Workflow Review and how it highlights where inconsistency appears in your line.
Why this matters
Many factories bring in MES or ERP tools before their processes are fully stable. When the workflow is inconsistent, teams often struggle to understand where the new system fits. This can lead to low adoption, unreliable data and repeat issues that feel like system faults but are actually process problems.
The Factory Firefighting Check helps you see where this instability may be coming from, so you can build a stronger foundation before introducing any digital tool
By Metis Automation with expert insight from Samantha Benbow
The Factory Firefighting Check is part of our work supporting manufacturers who want a clearer view of how their production runs today. We use this framework in early conversations, on our Manufacturers Make Strides podcast and in discussions with factory teams who want to strengthen stability before making any system changes.
Samantha Benbow contributes her practical perspective from working with factories that deal with recurring issues, hidden instability and day to day firefighting.
Ready to get the Factory Firefighting Check?
Get a clear view of where your process is stable and where issues may be holding things back.
Review Your Production Line
To discuss control within your production line, book a call
with a member of our technical team.