A Lean Journey Blog
- Home
- Blog
Use the Catchball Process to Reduce Ambiguity0
- Lean Management
- December 13, 2011
To reduce ambiguity and misinterpretation during the planning phase of Hoshin Kanri management uses a fact-based inter-level negotiation process known as “Catchball”. The word “catchball” denotes a simple social game in Japan in which a circle of young children throw a baseball back and forth. It metaphorically describes a participative process that uses iterative planning
READ MORE
Hoshin Kanri: Setting Management’s Compass for Alignment0
- Lean Management
- December 12, 2011
If management by objectives is so deficient in communicating direction and ensuring cross-functional coordination, then how can managers develop, communicate, and monitor their corporate road maps? The answer is to find an alternative management methodology to disseminate and implement strategic policy in a turbulent operating environment. Such a planning process already exists. The Japanese call
READ MORE
Lean Quote: Safety Culture and Leadership Behavior0
- Lean Quote
- December 9, 2011
On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on
READ MORE
Everything in it’s Shadow0
- Sharing Best Practices
- December 7, 2011
In 5S there is a saying “A place for everything and everything in it’s place.” 5S is a technique that results in a well-organized workplace complete with visual controls and order. 5S produces an environment that’s clean, uncluttered, safe and organized. People become empowered, engaged and spirited. A shadow board is a device used in
READ MORE
Creating Good BHAG0
- Leadership
- December 6, 2011
Last, Friday in the Lean Quote I introduce a “Big Hairy Audacious Goal”. Remember, a BHAG is different from traditional organizational goals and objectives in that they are way bigger. James Collins and Jerry Porras suggest that a good BHAG has four qualities: Aligned. Properly set goals can be transformational if they’re tied closely to
READ MORE
Celebrating my 500th Blog Post0
- A Lean Journey
- December 5, 2011
When I posted my first blog post about two and a half years ago on May 23, 2009, not for one moment did I anticipate 500. But I confess that I enjoy it – I hope a pleasure for you as well. In this post, I thought I’d chronicle my blogging experience by looking back
READ MORE
Lean Quote: BHAG Acts as a True Catalyst for Team Spirit0
- Lean Quote
- December 2, 2011
On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on
READ MORE
Daily Lean Tips Edition #230
- Lean Tips
- November 29, 2011
For my Facebook fans you already know about this great feature. But for those of you that are not connected to A Lean Journey on Facebook or Twitter I post daily a feature I call Lean Tips. It is meant to be advice, things I learned from experience, and some knowledge tidbits about Lean to
READ MORE
Map Your Financial Accounts To See the Big Picture0
- In the News, Sharing Best Practices
- November 28, 2011
Process mapping is a valuable technique for seeing the whole picture of something. While online recently I saw a great article about using process mapping in your financial accounts. A financial network map is a one-page diagram that shows the links and relationships between each of your financial accounts. Creating a map of your accounts
READ MORE