Most of the information people pick up comes from signs and signals. We live daily with multiple signals around us and consciously, or not, so we use them to increase our understanding of our environment, facilitating constant decision-making with a high degree of independence through Andon / visual control. What is Andon? Andon is an […]
Takt Time
Production adjusted to takt time The takt time is an indicator of the customer’s purchase frequency measured in seconds. For instance, Heijunka considers it as a target time to which the production system must adapt in order to meet customer expectations and set the pace of production. In order to stablish a Lean Manufacturing Program, […]
Hoshin Kanri
Hoshin Kanri The Big Idea – Align company goals (Strategy) with the plans of middle management (Tactics) and work performed by employees (Operations) to ensure that everyone is pulling in the same direction at the same time. WHAT IS HOSHIN KANRI IMPLEMENTING HOSHIN KANRI ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS WHAT IS HOSHIN KANRI? Hoshin Kanri (also called Policy Deployment) […]
Agile Manufacturing
Agile Manufacturing The Big Idea – Manufacturers can achieve a significant structural advantage over offshore competitors by leveraging proximity to local markets to deliver new and highly personalized products with unprecedented speed. WHAT IS AGILE MANUFACTURING? WHY IS IT EFFECTIVE? KEY ELEMENTS RELATIONSHIP TO LEAN IS AGILE FOR ME? WHAT IS AGILE MANUFACTURING? Let’s take a […]
Improve Production Today
Improve Production Today The Big Idea – Amazing improvements in productivity can be achieved through small daily increments. Each day, ask three simple questions (one each for Information, Decision, and Action) that lead to one specific action. IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY THREE SIMPLE STEPS THREE SIMPLE QUESTIONS TOP TIPS IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY A highly successful plant manager once said […]
Top 25 Lean Tools
Top 25 Lean Tools The Big Idea – Lean has a very extensive collection of tools and concepts. Surveying the most important of these, understanding both what they are and how they can help is an excellent way to get started. EXPLORING LEAN 25 ESSENTIAL LEAN TOOLS EXPLORING LEAN There are a lot of great ideas […]
The Essence of Lean
The Essence of Lean The Big Idea – In order to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability, focus relentlessly on eliminating all aspects of the manufacturing process that add no value from your customer’s perspective. OVERVIEW SEVEN DEADLY WASTES AN EIGHTH DEADLY WASTE OVERVIEW The core idea of lean manufacturing is actually quite simple…relentlessly work on eliminating […]
The Essence of Lean manufacturing
The Big Idea – In order to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability, focus relentlessly on eliminating all aspects of the manufacturing process that add no value from your customer’s perspective. OVERVIEW OVERVIEW The core idea of lean manufacturing is actually quite simple…relentlessly work on eliminating waste from the manufacturing process. So, what is waste? It can […]
Lean Glossary
Lean Glossary DEFINITIONS 5S Organize the work area: Sort (eliminate that which is not needed) Set In Order (organize remaining items) Shine (clean and inspect work area) Standardize (write standards for above) Sustain (regularly apply the standards) Andon Visual feedback system for the plant floor that indicates production status, alerts when assistance is needed, and […]
Kaizen / Continuous Improvement
What is Kaizen? Kaizen means continuous improvement. The origin of the word is from Japanese: Kai: reduce, set aside, modify or change Zen: judge, do well or do better Kaizen is the central learning tool in all companies and involves continuous improvement in work practices, staff efficiency, and the arrangement of desks within the office. […]