Task Directed Warehousing^© , or TDW^©, is the methodology of Turner Consulting, Inc., which defines specific work scheduling and task assignments of the Foodservice Warehouse as Task Driven Warehousing^© (TDW^©).

TDW^©, when used as a whole, can be the most effective way of maximizing floor productivity without great outlays of capital.  An example of TDW^© is the scheduling practices used by many Warehouse Managers who build overtime into the daily workload for pick crews scheduled into lost time because pick tickets are not ready at the start of a shift.

In this example, it is the function of TDW^© to identify this lost time and make recommendations for the scheduling and procedural changes necessary for its reduction and minimization. TDW^© also supervises the installation of these schedules and practices, as well as train the warehouse employee in maximizing the effectiveness of the system.

TDW^© covers four main warehouse functions.  Click on each to see the different elements Turner Consulting, Inc takes into consideration when performing their analysis:

• Selection & Loading

• Pick and Load^©

• ^{Warehouse Design & Racking Layout}

• ^{Driver and Delivery Programs}

In general, Turner Consulting, Inc. completes the following steps when performing TDW^©:

• Analyze established work flow trends

• Develop a work schedule to ensure regular work patterns are covered straight time

• Break down job functions and develop task specific work assignments for each employee

• Establish written job descriptions for each employee and supervisor

• Develop an employee manual, when requested

• Establish job priorities for supervisors

• Develop a typical day schedule for each employee and supervisor

• Train supervisors in interviewing and hiring procedures

• Teach supervisors the basics of Work Sampling for staffing and scheduling

• Conduct in-house half day seminars in supervisory skills