What are One Point Lessons?

A One Point Lesson (OPL), also known as a Single Point Lesson (SPL), is a short, focused visual instruction used to covey one key skill or procedure at a time. Typically a single page, a one point lesson communicates the expected process for following a standard operating procedure (SOP) in a clear, concise manner that workers can quickly absorb at the point of need.

One point lessons (OPLs) and single point lessons (SPLs) are important lean and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) training tools used by manufacturers for safety, quality, equipment operation, and maintenance routines. Originating from Toyota Production System (TPS) principles, one point lessons and single point lessons are designed to transfer knowledge quickly and efficiently at the point of need – a core tenet of continuous improvement. For example, a one point lesson (OPL) can be created for asset maintenance, instructions on how to use a new tool on a shop floor, or how to perform an equipment changeover routine.

Below we will describe the various types of One Point Lessons, provide some examples, and give an overview of how to create digital versions of these useful on-the-job training tools.

One Point Lesson vs. Single Point Lesson: Are They the Same?

A One Point Lesson (OPL) and a Single Point Lesson (SPL) are the same thing. The terms are used interchangeably across manufacturing, maintenance, and continuous improvement disciplines. “Single point lesson” is the more common term in Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and autonomous maintenance frameworks, while “one point lesson” is widely used in lean manufacturing and general training contexts.

Both terms refer to the same format: a brief, single-topic visual instruction designed to transfer one focused piece of knowledge to a frontline worker, quickly and effective.

What are the Different Types of One Point Lessons?

One point lessons generally fall into one of four types of training lessons – Basic Knowledge, Safety, Trouble, and Improvement. In each of these scenarios, one point lessons are great training tools that communicate standards, improvements, and troubleshooting. They can be used to communicate a change in a process, a new tool, a change in machinery, or a lean 5s program to be implemented in a work area. Whether called a one point lesson or a single point lesson, these four categories apply across all manufacturing and maintenance settings.

1. Basic Knowledge

Basic knowledge one point lessons are used to fill a knowledge gap, ensuring that workers have the skills and knowledge needed to perform their job effectively and efficiently. For example, how to perform a changeover, lubricate, or clean an area.

This type of one point lesson bridges the gap between classroom training and on-the-job training, and is increasingly being used to replace traditional training methods.

2. Safety

Safety-based one point lessons focus on ensuring workers know and understand current safety procedures and have the knowledge they need to perform their jobs safely and learn any new safety procedures.

3. Trouble

This type of one point lesson uses real-world scenarios to reinforce a point through visual instruction to help prevent factory floor problems. Examples may include breakdowns, defects, or issues with machinery, outlining how to identify and resolve issues. These types of one point lessons are most effective when used immediately after the problem occurs.

4. Improvement

Improvement one point lessons are used to demonstrate new concepts and results that have been driven from continuous improvement projects or kaizen study.

Example of a One Point Lesson

Digital one point lessons can be executed on any mobile device.
Simple text instruction with a checklist and helper annotations provide a quick and easy task summary with traceability.
Visual illustrations help guide operator in performing task.

How to Create a One Point Lesson with Augmentir

One point lessons should be created in digital format and managed through a central content management system. Modern digital work instruction software, often times included as part of a complete connected worker platform, provides a system for creating, managing, and distributing digital versions of one point lessons. These systems can also track whether employees completed one-point lessons. Advanced connected worker platforms that utilize artificial intelligence (AI) can also be configured to autonomously deliver one point lessons to workers based on proficiency, job recency, or as part of a more comprehensive manufacturing workflow.

Digital OPLs can be created quickly and easily using Augmentir’s drag-and-drop authoring environment. Augmentir’s content creation tool provides a library of visual elements that can be combined with simple text instructions to help create the optimal instruction.

The benefits to this approach include ensuring standardization (everyone using the same version of instruction), as well as managing version control and change, and traceability on who read (and who should read) the OPLs.

Augmentir includes templates for commonly used procedures and the following interactive components for creating digital work instructions:

Display text, rich media – images, video, MR/AR experiences
Display documents – PDF, URL, or web links
Layout controls, including table and custom layouts
Buttons (Picker)
Checklists
Data Entry
Time and Date Entry

External Chart Display
Scanning
Media Capture
Signature Capture
Dropdown lists – including dynamic lists
Verification – manual and data-driven
Auto Advance

Common Use Cases

One point lessons that are created as digital work instructions can provide a continuous training tool for operators, quality engineers, and maintenance staff, and can be used across a variety of use cases.

Quality and Inspection

Use digital OPLs to standardize and optimize quality assurance and inspection procedures, resulting in fewer errors and reduced defects and rework. Digital work instructions help workers perform inspection checks that involve QA/QC processes, line inspections, fluid level checks, etc.

Safety

Improve safety and digitize safety incident and near-miss reporting. Digital checklists and safety instructions help ensure compliance and minimize impacts. Executive scorecards highlight key safety KPIs and at-risk procedures.

Equipment Operation

OPLs are a useful tool to extend formal training and provide on-the-job instruction at the moment of need. Digitize and optimize a range of operational procedures – equipment changeover, startup/shutdown, lockout tagout, cleaning, and autonomous maintenance tasks.

Maintenance

Improve the quality and effectiveness of a range of procedures – cleaning, lubrication, adjustments, inspections. Whether they are autonomous maintenance tasks performed by an operator or more complex routines performed by maintenance staff, digital work instructions help to ensure work is done correctly, resulting in minimized machine downtime.

Deliver training that meets the needs of your workforce

Effective use of digital one point lessons (OPLs) and single point lessons (SPLs) can help drive optimization across your workforce. Today, with the ability to deliver training at the moment of need, onboarding can focus on everything a worker will probably do, significantly reducing onboarding time.

Last updated: June 9, 2026

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