Handlungskompetenz: Fahrvergnugen for packaging?

Many of us will remember the American advertising campaign of almost 20 years ago in which Volkswagen introduced us to the German word Fahrvergnugen, meaning driving pleasure. Pre-dating my memory, the German word Kindergarten introduced new and unique meaning regarding childhood education. Today the Germans have another new word for us to learn: Handlungskompetenz. Mastery of Handlungskompetenz along with developing skills in mechatronics will be enablers of taking our packaging operations to the next level in performance.

Most of us have become familiar with the term mechatronics which was coined in 1969 by Mr. Tetsuro Mori of Yaskawa. Mechatronics has transformed many industries and is applied in various forms such as biomechatronics, automotive-mechatronics, and computer-mechatronics. By my recollection, the packaging industry began its mechatronic transformation at Interpack in 1993. Unfortunately, education has been slow to pick up on this transforming technology which requires a paradigm shift and cooperation at the intersections of our existing engineering silos.

Better late than never, a plethora of organizations is now rushing to implement educational programs and certifications in mechatronics. Better still, some of these programs are specifically aimed at the needs of packagers. The Siemens Technical Academy of Berlin has begun a global roll out of three general mechatronic system certifications aimed at developing operators, technicians and engineers with Handlungskompetenz.

Handlungskompetenz is variously defined as adaptive expertise, performance skills, capacity to act, action authority, decision making with responsibility, and competencies in performance. We are told that a native German speaker would immediately grasp the concept of Handlungskompetenz, but it is perhaps a bit more difficult for the rest of us. My present understanding is that it represents both the empowerment and ability to understand, troubleshoot, and take action in a constantly changing environment.

If our packaging operators had the ability to understand and troubleshoot mechatronic packaging lines and were empowered to take action to correct faults as situations changed, would our line performance improve? If our technicians had the same capabilities to modify or repair systems, would our flexibility and output increase? And, if our engineers were empowered and able to synergistically impact the entire system from a mechanical, electrical, software and controls perspective, would our systems be more robust, adaptable and less costly? I think that the answer to all of these questions is an emphatic YES!

Our brain processes nouns differently from other words. Having a noun to describe something provides reinforcement of a concept. I doubt that Handlungskompetenz will roll off the tongues of Americans anytime soon like kindergarten or Fahrvergnugen, but for those of us seeking to improve packaging operations, it is a concept worthy of consideration and a word worthy of learning.

So, repeat after me - 3 times: Handlungskompetenz.

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