SPIX, the forgetting curve, traceability, and the industry
The forgetting curve developed by the psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus in the 19th century and revisited in 2015, describes the decline of memory retention over time. It illustrates how information is lost when there is no attempt to retain it, with the most significant drop-off occurring shortly after learning.
In the context of industrial operations, the forgetting curve might have several impacts on the traceability, the quality, or even the safety of critical installations.
Let’s investigate …
A little history of our memory…
For most of us, the information acquired during the day disappears at an exponential rate without retention. In other words, we all lose most of newly acquired information during the first days (or hors) following its acquisition :
In fact, according to the curve, we forget:
- 50% of all new information within a day,
- 90% of all new information within a week.
Of course, this curve is modified by many external factors. Major events like the images associated to the fire at the Notre Dame cathedral in France in 2019 impact our memories for the long term. On the other hand, minor events like changing the bathroom faucet seal will be forgotten very quickly.
Let’s have a look on the consequence for the industry...
What is the relation with the industry?
From the above explained forgetting curve, guess how much information is lost in 1 or 2 hours following a security site inspection?
It can be up to 20% to 40% !
- This may have consequences for the industries where traceability relies heavily on data (e.g., energy, defense, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals,). For such cases, the forgetting curve emphasizes the need for robust data management systems. If the field operators fail to remember the events or their observations 2 or 3 hours after, the associated report might be incomplete, and the integrity of the traceability system be compromised.
- Additionally in regulated industries, maintaining accurate records is vital for the compliance with the associated norms and standards. The forgetting curve can jeopardize the ability of quality controllers and safety auditors to report the necessary information. The report being generated 2 to 4 hours after the audits or inspections, might potentially lead to non-compliance.
Those examples only illustrate the importance of the generation of site audits reports or site inspections reports in real-time, as close as possible from the observation.
How SpixForCheck tackles the forgetting curve!
SpixForCheck is the first voice-AI application, powered by yhe Smart Voice Assistant SPIX, and used to generate the site inspection or field operations reports by voice. The quality auditor, site inspector or field operator keeps his digital equipment (smartphone, tablet, …) safe in his pocket and completes the expected checklist and comment in front of the site under investigation. The use of the voice assistant SPIX enables to warranty the completion of the checklist, and the accuracy of the generated data collected in real-time.
Consequently, SpixForCheck participates to tackle the forgetting curve because:
- The reports are generated in real time: no information is lost due to the time.
- The repost are stored for future use, in compliance with the norms and standards.
- The verbalization participates to the increase of the memory of the operator, as it makes use of the information within a short time after its observation, hence tackling the forgetting curve.
SpixForCheck participates to tackle the Forgetting Curve for industrial site inspection and safety audits of the industry.
Point of contact
André JOLY – Managing Director
Phone. : +33 (0)6 25 17 27 94
Email: andre.joly (at) spix-industry.com
Legal entity
Website : spix-industry.com
Linkedin : linkedin.com/company/spix-industry
Simsoft3D SAS – 40 rue du Village d’Entreprises – 31670 Labège (France)
“Voice Experience“, “SPIX” and “SPIX industry” are registered trademarks of Simsoft3D SAS.
