Yard management isn’t the easiest task out there. From tracking trailers and managing gate flow to optimizing space and keeping everyone on the same page, there’s a lot going on. And while every yard operates a little differently, certain mistakes are surprisingly common.
They can be easy to overlook, but they often lead to big headaches (and bigger costs). In this post, we’ll break down ten of the most common yard management mistakes and give you straightforward, practical fixes to help you run your yard smoothly.
Ready to take a look? Let’s dive in.
1. Depending on manual workflows
The Mistake: Are you still relying on paper logs or spreadsheets to track what’s happening in your yard? This can seriously slow you down and lead to missed opportunities to improve efficiency.
The Fix: Real-time visibility is a game-changer. A yard management system (YMS) gives you an at-a-glance view of every truck, trailer, and task, right when you need it. This isn’t just about knowing where things are—real-time tracking cuts down on idle times and keeps everyone, from drivers to yard managers, in sync. Imagine everyone having the right info when they need it. Sounds good, right?
2. Ineffective Gate Management
The Mistake: A backup at the gate can lead to long waits, frustrated drivers, and big-time delays. If your gate process is a bottleneck, it’s affecting your whole operation.
The Fix: Consider automating your gate process. With tools like license plate recognition and digital sign-ins, you can get drivers in and out faster. Many yard management systems have features that support automated gates, making it a seamless experience. This simple switch can save a lot of time (and sanity) for both you and your drivers.
3. Poorly Managed Trailer Inventory
The Mistake: Losing track of trailers or not knowing their current status can create big problems, especially when you need a specific trailer in a hurry.
The Fix: Use trailer tracking features within your yard management software to keep an up-to-date inventory. Real-time tracking lets you see where every trailer is and what its status is. That means no more wasted time searching for the right trailer—it’s all right there in your system.
4. Inadequate Communication with Drivers
The Mistake: When communication with drivers is delayed or inconsistent, it leads to confusion and wasted time. If drivers don’t know where to go or what to expect, the whole operation slows down.
The Fix: Use a central communication tool where dispatchers, yard managers, and drivers can communicate in real-time. Many yard management solutions have built-in messaging tools that make this easy. With everyone on the same page, you’ll save time and cut down on miscommunication.
5. Relying on intuition instead of data analysis
The Mistake: If you’re not using data to understand your yard’s efficiency, you’re missing out on easy wins. Without tracking KPIs like gate times, dwell times, and space usage, it’s hard to spot problem areas and improve.
The Fix: Start tracking key yard management metrics, like gate-in and gate-out times, trailer dwell time, and yard space utilization. A yard management system automatically collects this data, giving you a clear view of where improvements can be made. With insights from real data, you can make better decisions and spot bottlenecks before they become big issues.
6. Inconsistent Scheduling of Yard Resources
The Mistake: Overloading yard staff or failing to coordinate schedules effectively can lead to bottlenecks, employee fatigue, and overall inefficiency.
The Fix: Use a yard management solution that helps automate and optimize task assignments based on real-time data. By scheduling tasks according to trailer location, load status, and staff availability, you’ll ensure that resources are used efficiently. Plus, keeping workloads balanced means happier, more productive employees.
7. Not Monitoring Carrier Performance
The Mistake: Failing to track and evaluate the performance of your carriers can lead to recurring issues, like frequent delays and missed appointments, that disrupt your yard operations.
The Fix: Use your yard management system to track carrier performance metrics, such as on-time arrival rates and average unloading times. By identifying trends, you can work with carriers to improve their performance or adjust your scheduling to better align with their habits, reducing delays and improving yard efficiency.
Conclusion
Managing a yard isn’t simple, but tackling these common mistakes can make a world of difference. By addressing these ten issues with the right yard management solutions, you can build a more efficient, safer, and cost-effective operation that supports your entire supply chain.
Remember, a yard management system isn’t just a tool—it’s a strategy for transforming your yard into a well-oiled machine. Embrace the power of yard management software, and watch your operations thrive.
Ready to take your yard management to the next level? Contact us today to explore how our yard management solutions can help you optimize operations, reduce costs, and streamline your entire supply chain!
