Continuous improvement requires teamwork, and that means working together to solve quality problems. In a poor culture, people blame each other for mistakes, or have a ‘that’s not my problem’ attitude. But when teams are focused on continuous improvement, they help each other eliminate problems once and for all.
The terms “back office” and “front office” refer to customer contact. Those that have direct customer contact are the front office. Others who work in administrative roles are the “back office”. The terms originally came from the physical layout of an office building, but with the advent of improved communication, the delineation is murkier. Many people now spend all day in contact with customers on the phone and via electronic communication, and hence have many Read more…
Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems are systems linked to a computerized control with an automated method of retrieving items from a designated storage location. The principle is that the machine rather than a person does the searching and retrieving. Most AS/RS units make significant use of vertical space, leading to a high storage density. AS/RS from the Defense Visual Information Center These systems have some benefit but are also somewhat at odds with Lean culture Read more…
Data collection is a big part of any problem solving effort, and problem solving is what Lean is all about. So, it follows that the people who make the most significant gains in their continuous improvement efforts are those that can effectively turn data into actionable information. Yep. That means that you still get to use math, even though your schools days may be long behind you. But knowing what to do to work your Read more…
Policy deployment is a process of turning the strategic goals of an organization into actionable tasks at the frontline of an organization. This systematic approach to leadership clearly defines the path to success. One of the tools used in effective policy deployment is the Policy Deployment Action Plan. Get Our Policy Deployment Action Plan for FREE Each and every improvement priority should have an action plan associated with it. The policy deployment action plan serves Read more…
The Production Preparation Process (3P) is a powerful means of taking a big-picture look at how a product is designed and manufactured. It guides teams through the creative process of generating ideas, and then whittles the ideas down to one that will be implemented. A 3P project can focus on either the process or on the product design. The goal is to finish the event, usually about a week long, with a good idea of Read more…
This is the final question in a series of five questions I use to do a quick assessment of a company’s progress in its Lean efforts, as well as its receptiveness to it. (Read the fourth question here.) The fifth and final question is Do people thoroughly understand problems before taking action? This question gauges the team’s problem solving methodology and the general approach towards continuous improvement. The question itself is a bit vague, so Read more…
This is the fourth question in a series of five questions I use to do a quick assessment of a company’s progress in its Lean efforts, as well as its receptiveness to it. (Read the third question here.) The fourth question is Can frontline leaders name their 3 biggest problems and clearly state their quantitative impact? This question is intended to gauge the overall focus on continuous improvement within the organization, and the level of Read more…
Get Our Best Values with Component Bundles Bought individually, our training materials are a good value. But we don’t stop there. We offer an even better value when you buy our module group bundles. When you have very targeted training needs, these packages offer the most cost effective way to get exactly what you need to teach your team. But our best values come when you buy our complete component packages. These product packages give Read more…
A 100% inspection is exactly what it sounds like. It is a check on every single piece of work. The inspection can be done on both physical products on the shop floor, or information in an office setting. Most 100% inspections originate from a few main sources: Government regulations. Some agencies require 100% inspections. Products requiring perfection. This is usually safety related or to protect the perception of the product as high-grade. Demanding customers. Some Read more…
This is the third question in a series of five questions I use to do a quick assessment of a company’s progress in its Lean efforts, as well as its receptiveness to it. (Read the second question here.) The third question is Can frontline leaders predict what they will accomplish on any given day, within a few percent? This question is most applicable in offices, or when there is individual piece work on the shop Read more…
This is the second of a series of questions I posted a few days ago that I use to get an initial read on a company that wants help with continuous improvement. While the questions don’t give a complete picture, they certainly help me determine which rocks to kick over, and where to pay special attention as I do a more thorough Lean Assessment. (See the previous question here.) The second question is Does the Read more…