Box Systems: A Training Tool for Task Prioritization

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

We created box systems as a tool for front-line staff to know how to prioritize tasks while at work. This training tool works especially well in high-volume situations, like our fast-casual restaurant, where front-of-house staff rotate between different roles each shift.

Tasks for each role are organized into three "boxes." The first box contains tasks that should be completed first, or are top priority. The second consists of secondary tasks, and then the third includes tasks like side work. Responsibilities in Box 1 must be completed before moving to Box 2, and so on. If at any point, a staff member finds themselves in a higher box and a duty from Box 1 needs to be completed, they quickly complete the current task, then return to those that take priority.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

Box Systems help staff prioritize duties within their roles, ensure service standards, and cleanliness are achieved, and are perfect for fast-paced settings. We also involved tenured members of our front-line staff in the creation of the box system, which encouraged staff buy in and showed them how much we valued their opinions.