Flow and Pull Systems Explained
Continuous flow is defined as producing and moving one item at a time, or a small and consistent batch of items, through a series of processing steps as continuously as possible, with each step making just what is requested by the next step. Other names for continuous flow are one-piece flow, single-piece flow, and make one, move one. Flow supports lean by focusing on producing...
Read MoreImprovement Methodologies: PM, Six Sigma, DFSS, Lean – Choosing the Right One
Organizations have a variety of tools and methods available to improve their products, services, and processes. Deciding on which methodology to use can often become confusing because management does not understand how these methodologies are separated or used. In this article, I’ll try to alleviate some of this confusion by providing you some examples of when it is appropriate...
Read MoreHealthcare Can Benefit Greatly Using Lean Techniques
In recent years healthcare has been under enormous pressure to reduce cost and improve customer satisfaction. Hospitals getting squeezed on all sides and seeing rising costs are having to improve everything they do or risk going out of business. Hospitals have looked at what manufacturing has done to reduce cost and many have started to implement Lean Six Sigma as a way to analyze and improve...
Read MoreA Lean Strategy Requires Lean To Be the Foundational Core For Everything You Do
Many companies think they can implement lean by simply laying it on top of what they already do or delegating it to their operations folks. This simply won’t work! In order for you to be successful, lean must be a strategic approach that effects everything you do. As an organization, you need to evaluate all your processes to determine the value-add you provide your customers. Customers...
Read MoreDeveloping A Successful LSS Program Takes A Lot Of Work, But The Rewards & Payback Are Tremendous!
The following are guidelines and tips that I have found over the years to be beneficial in the deployment of a Lean Six Sigma initiative. Lean Six Sigma is a management strategy and, like any strategy, needs to have the necessary resources and commitment allocated to make it successful. Top Management Without top management support, the Lean Six Sigma effort is doomed to fail. ...
Read MoreUse Gemba Walks to Uncover Problems & Promote Accountability
Gemba is a Japanese word that means the real place where value is created. A gemba walk is a management tool whose purpose is to have managers walk the front line where they can see problems as they are occurring, ask questions and allow them to create follow-up on problems and promote accountability. Problems are most visible where they occur and the best ideas for solving them will come...
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