Why Short Interval Control is Making a Comeback — And How PlantRun Makes It Easy

As manufacturers look to drive more performance from existing assets, Short Interval Control (SIC) is gaining renewed attention on the shopfloor. Once seen as a manual, clipboard-heavy process, SIC is now being revitalised by smart systems like PlantRun, which turns real-time data into fast, actionable insights.

What Is Short Interval Control?

Short Interval Control is a structured process of reviewing production performance in short, regular intervals throughout the shift — typically every 1–2 hours. The goal is to identify small losses early, take corrective actions quickly, and maintain control over shift output.

It's been a staple of lean and continuous improvement strategies for decades, but was often limited by the time required to gather and interpret data. In today’s environment, where minutes matter and digital tools are more accessible, SIC is becoming a practical and powerful discipline once again.

The Challenge: Paper, Delay and Guesswork

Many factories still rely on whiteboards or paper to record production issues during SIC reviews. The result? Incomplete data, delay in reacting to downtime, and missed opportunities to improve shift outcomes.

Enter PlantRun — a modern production monitoring system that enables effective Short Interval Control with:

• 📊 Live performance data available by line, cell, or operator
• 🔎 Automatic tracking of downtime, minor stops, and delays
• 📥 Operator input screens for logging reasons and context
• 🧠 KPI dashboards updated in real time
• 📝 Digital SIC review boards that auto-refresh for meetings

“Short Interval Control isn’t new,” says Scott Fletcher of PlantRun, “but what’s new is how accessible and actionable the process becomes when supported by the right system. It helps teams course-correct within the shift, not after.”

More Than Just SIC: A Complete Continuous Improvement Toolkit

PlantRun doesn’t stop at Short Interval Control. The system also supports:

• 📉 Downtime reason tracking with customisable reason trees
• 📈 OEE and utilisation metrics in real time
• 🛠️ Callout tracking and response time monitoring for breakdowns, QA, parts, and setup
• 💡 Paperless production tools, including startup checklists and shift logs
• ♻️ Energy and CO₂ impact tracking based on machine runtime or integrated metering

Designed by engineers, PlantRun adapts to real-world shopfloor needs. It’s fully customisable, scalable across assets and sites, and backed by over 40 years of UK-based experience in automation and factory systems.

About PlantRun

PlantRun is a real-time production monitoring and improvement system developed by UK-based automation experts Tascomp. It’s used across sectors including automotive, food, aerospace, packaging, and general manufacturing to drive performance, reduce waste, and support smarter decision-making at all levels.