Updated Myths of Team Cleaning
5/12/2010

For most organizations, implementing team cleaning requires a shift from old processes and procedures, which can seem threatening to those comfortably, entrenched in current operating modes. This fear of change is common, and to a certain degree, may explain the misconceptions that often surround the team cleaning concept. This said, perhaps the best way to fully comprehend team cleaning is to first understand what it is not.

Note: Eight (8) position Descriptions for Team Cleaning

            Vac Specialist - (Closer)

            Restroom Specialist - (Sanitor)

            Utility Specialist 1,2,3,4

            Team Specialist - Cross Trained

1.    Everyone must work together

This is the greatest myth. Team Cleaning is confused with gang cleaning. Gang cleaning is without doubt the most inefficient system in the industry (workers moving through a facility together). Team Cleaning is a high performance system utilizing Specialists working on assigned duties independent from one another. The only exception is teams performing floor surface reconditioning or other types of activities requiring assistance. It is very important to take the time to dispel the notion that we clean in teams by everyone being in the same location. The key team in Team Cleaning is the Starter and the Closer. They function in tandem; however, since they maintain different rates of productivity, compounded by different facilities, there is a planned gap of time between them.

2.    There must always be four (4) to a team

This is another popular myth based on a lack of investigation. There are basically four (4) major positions; Light Duty Specialist (Starter), Vac Specialist (Closer), Restroom Specialist (Sanitor) and Utility Specialist 1,2,3 and 4. The four Utility Specialists are assigned duties that range from entrance cleaning to aseptic and cleanroom cleaning. There can be any combination of Specialists including one Specialist performing all cleaning in a small area (Team Specialist).

Just the opposite is true; Team Cleaning represents work simplification and redistribution. It simplifies instruction by training the service worker to concentrate on specific duties in an assigned area. Rather than a little training in many cleaning tasks (i.e. zone cleaning), Team Cleaning focuses training to a high level of proficiency with fewer tasks thus creating a Specialist.  Effective task assignment, work loading, routing and training all come together to create an efficient, measurable system. That system can now be tracked and adjusted to meet the changing needs of the facility, while keeping staff members on task and operating efficiently.

4.    The concept of Quadrants is too difficult to understand

Quadrants are at the center of the system balancing and distributing frequencies. The concept of Quadrants is unfamiliar to most and therefore initially creates some apprehension when first discussed, but it is really quite simple. The idea of Quadrants is to divide the assigned work area to a specialist (Starter and Closer) into four (4) balanced areas that are then utilized to facilitate the distribution of routine and detail work frequencies maintaining a systematic work flow. The Quadrants are drawn on floor plans, color coded and placed on a wall where the Specialists start their shift.

5.    Job Assignment Cards are overkill and rarely used

The job cards are one of the most crucial elements to the success of the system. The cards are similar to a road map as they will guide each Specialist through their assigned space indicating what tasks are scheduled and how much time is allowed. Supervisors maintain “master” Job Cards for all teams which allows them to more efficiently manage their staff and schedule quality assurance inspections based on the day’s detailed quadrants. Job Assignment Cards are also used to schedule service employee’s breaks and they play a major role in replacing absenteeism.

6.    Team Cleaning is simply for high productivity/speed

The Team Cleaning system can produce any production rate desired. It depends solely on the duties and frequencies assigned. The real benefit in Team Cleaning is the efficiency in cleaning efficacy. The standard most associated with Team Cleaning is 'Cleaning for Health'.

7.    Requires too much training

The falsehood of this myth is exposed by history. When the Ford Motor Co. installed its first assembly line, the invention proved to industry and the world that a short, well-focused list of responsibilities, coupled with a limited number of products/equipment to be mastered, makes training-and cross-training-significantly faster and easier. For example, training Closer Specialists to vacuum and just check that a few basic Starter duties were completed is far easier than training them to perform a long list of diverse functions requiring multiple products, varied dilution rates, etc.

8.    Team Cleaning is too rigid

Team Cleaning is a system based upon best known processes. On that basis the system is designed for continuous improvement and instant modification. In today's world, organizations must maintain a quality initiative relative to positive change. Poor processes are a descendant of poor management; rigid or inflexible methods are the off spring of a central control blocking the search for improvement. Flexibility is built into the system.

9.    Team Cleaning is only for office buildings

Team Cleaning started in office buildings and quickly spread to all types of facilities. The system of Specialists together with Job Cards has created new efficient workflow otherwise unachievable. The key is the mix of Specialists based upon the facility usage and shift. The education segment is where most of the new implementations are taking place.

10.    Compensating for absenteeism is more difficult in Team Cleaning

Actually it is quite easy. Specialists have specific duties which aids replacement requirements. As an example, the Closer has two (2) key responsibilities; vacuum and check on the work performed by the Starter. The replacement worker need only to look at the Job Card, know the day of the week, review an outline of the assigned space and go to work confident of a productive shift.

11.    Day Cleaning and Team Cleaning are different systems

Day Cleaning is not a system - it's a shift. Team Cleaning is a system adaptable any time of the day. When planning the implementation of a Team Cleaning system all conditions need to be taken into consideration. As it pertains to a day cleaning all Team Cleaning System components work the same. For example, Job Cards and Quadrants will simply be modified. Additional training is required to develop a sensitivity to interaction with occupants. The reason for day cleaning is critical since it is more difficult to work around people and reach a consistently high level of cleaning for health. Although not new, there has been some strong advancement in the application of day cleaning.

12.    There is no sense of employee ownership

Quite the contrary, this system is much more easily measured than any other. The assigned duties are very clear, the routing is very clear, the time allowed is very clear; as a matter of fact in order to miss a waste receptacle there needs to be collusion between the Starter and Closer since the Closer inspects the work performed by the starter.

13.    Team Cleaning won't work in my facility

This is simply a push back to change leading to accountability. What the person really means is that they don't want to challenge their employees. The flexibility of the system allows for an application in any type of facility. The difference many times is the ratio of Specialists.

This no longer exists as a reason not to engage Specialists. In fact, the Back Pack vacuuming system is the breakthrough tool that opened up the concept. The Vac Specialists can remove more soil, has less fatigue and can produce about two times the production rate of the upright vacuum.