Lean Basics

The Missing M & M 0
- Lean Basics
- March 8, 2017
In today’s economy many companies are looking for cost savings. Eliminating muda (waste) is the focus of most lean manufacturing efforts. But two other M’s are just as important to making lean work. In fact, focusing on only the eight wastes of muda can actually hamper productivity. Lean is about the elimination of muda, muri,
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Use a SIPOC to Scope Your Improvement Event 0
- Lean Basics
- February 15, 2017
In process improvement, a SIPOC is a tool that summarizes the inputs and outputs of one or more processes in table form. The acronym SIPOC stands for suppliers, inputs, process, outputs, and customers which form the columns of the table. First, a quick review of the elements of a SIPOC: S (supplier): Entity that provides
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10 Powerful Process Mapping Tips 0
- Lean Basics
- December 14, 2016
Process mapping is often the first step in business process improvement. It is a necessary activity that provides a baseline from which improvements can be measured and is the key to identifying and localizing opportunities for improvement. Therefore, it is important to capture the right information to help steer process improvement initiatives in the right
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7 Process Improvement Concepts 0
- Lean Basics
- November 28, 2016
Everything everyone does within an organization is part of a process. So invariably if you want to improve what the organization does, then you have to focus on improving the process. By putting your emphasis on the process, you avoid the typical trap that so many business leaders seem to fall prey to – looking
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Audience Answers: Burning Platforms?0
- Lean Basics
- October 12, 2016
I have been sharing thoughts for a while, now it is your turn. I wan to hear your feedback on some questions that I have been pondering. Many Lean transformations stories start with a burning platform. The term is used to describe an extremely urgent or compelling business situation in order to convey, in the
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Set-up Reduction is a Simple Yet Powerful Process 0
- Lean Basics
- September 12, 2016
Reducing machine down time is the main goal of set-up reduction. However, reducing set-up times will boost your company’s capacity, increase your manufacturing flexibility, and help increase overall output. The five basic steps to reduce changeover / set-up time are as follows: 1. Observe and record the current method (videotaping is
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