There’s an old expression about ‘pulling out all the stops’ to get something accomplished. It basically means doing everything within your power to make sure that a task is completed. Where Does This Expression Come From? Now, before I dive into why this is a bad thing in a Lean Read more…
The Problem Barrier Assessment Sheet is used to isolate the obstacles to effective problem solving in your company. When you recognize a problem, note it on the sheet, and then investigate why the problem has persisted. Most problems did not just jump up recently. They have been around for a Read more…
Cherry picking is the practice of taking on the easiest work first. It generally has a reputation as being a bad practice. In continuous improvement, though, there are times that cherry picking is a desired practice. As a rule of thumb, if a process is intended to flow, you should Read more…
5W1H is shorthand for “Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.” It is used both in problem solving and in project planning. This set of questions is sometimes referred to as the Kipling Method or the “6 Serving Men of Creativity”, due to a poem that appeared in Rudyard Kipling’s Read more…
The Pareto principle is the result of the work of the 19th Century economist, Vilfredo Pareto. He realized that wealth in Italy was distributed unevenly, and mathematically proved his observation. Today, the Pareto principle is more commonly known as the 80-20 rule. Simply put, 80 percent of problems are the Read more…
A strong culture of continuous improvement relies heavily on teamwork. When there is a problem, team members need to be able to rely on others to come to the rescue. Ghostism is the Lean affliction in which a person becomes invisible whenever it is their turn to provide help to Read more…
Smooth, efficient communication helps business management systems thrive. Many of the structures that we recommend having in place are specifically designed to help streamline the communication process. Morning standup meetings get everyone on the same page at the start of a shift. Daily management clarifies expectations and what the current Read more…
Many Lean afflictions reduce the effectiveness of your continuous improvement efforts. One such affliction is Selective Hearing Syndrome. In this disease, people filter out information that doesn’t support their views or that involves things they don’t want to do. They also interpret the meaning of this information exclusively based on Read more…
Some people are so convinced of things that no amount of data can influence their opinion. The presentation of data contrary to their current belief actually repels them and makes them become more firmly entrenched in their own position. This is one of several Lean afflictions. There is actually a Read more…
Workspaces work best when there is minimal clutter, and everything has a specific purpose. This goal is derailed by hoarderism, one of several Lean afflictions that can prevent your company from reaching its potential. Hoarderism is the inability to throw anything out, or even send it to the red tag Read more…
Another of several Lean afflictions, Squirrel Chasing Syndrome is the inability to remain focused on the goal or task at hand when something enticing comes into view. This generally means abandoning the current task and switching to the new task without any real planning. This form of distraction is harmful Read more…
There are a set of ailments that afflict many people when attempting to implement Lean. One such ailment is the aversion to seeing a flat surface unencumbered by clutter, known as FSS or Flat Surface Syndrome. Some people have a tendency to see an open surface as an invitation to Read more…