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? Hoshin Kanri…
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? Let’s take a few moments to go…
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 IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY A highly successful…
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 EXPLORING LEAN…
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…
Lean Glossary
Lean Glossary DEFINITIONS 5S Organize the work area: Andon Visual feedback system for the plant floor that indicates production status, alerts when assistance is needed, and empowers operators to stop the production process. Autonomous Maintenance A method from TPM (Total…
