Is Takt Time the Most Misunderstood Lean Concept? March 29, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques
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Takt time, which Jamie Flinchbaugh defines as customer demand rate, is very often misunderstood as production process pace. Takt time has to deal with what a company is working and building towards, and so it is often confused with production pace. It also demonstrates that lean is not just mere common sense, but that there is serious substance to it as well.
Check out Jamie’s explanation of takt time and what it means at his website.
Scrunchie Lean March 29, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in 5S & Visual Management, Creativity & Innovation, Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: 5S & Visual Management, Creativity & Innovation, Lean Tools & Techniques
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The applications of lean visual management tools are often surprising. Mark Hamel, at Gemba Tales, relates one simple but highly effective visual control using scrunchies – a simple elastic hair tie. Mark’s friend and lean convert Lisa uses a green scrunchie to identify her laptop power cord among others when it is plugged in, and uses the scrunchie to fold up and store her wire on the go.
For photos and Mark’s post, head here.
Jiffy Lube Oil Change and Queuing March 29, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques
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Pete Abilla, writing at Shmula, recounts a visit to Jiffy Lube for an oil change, during which time he noticed that one of four bays was kept open. During the visit, Pete noticed the Jiffy Lube crew –the whole crew –worked on one car at a time, and they track and publish the time for changes for customers to see while waiting. These processes are lean in nature, and were a pleasant surprise to discover.
Head on over to read Pete’s Shmula post here.
Mental Models and How We View the Gemba and Workers: GM vs Dell February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques, workforce.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques, workforce
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Writing at the Lean Blog, Mark Graban reflects on his time working at General Motors and later, Dell. Dell workers wore antistatic straps that kept workers grounded to avoid static charges zapping production parts. A UAW union member wanted to know how Dell got away with tying their workers to workstations. The question revealed a lot about the UAW’s mentality, betraying the idea that the UAW doesn’t think workers want to work, and that the UAW doesn’t trust GM to treat its workers respectfully.
To read Mark’s enlightening post, head over to Lean Blog.
Graphic Representation of a Lean Schedule February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in lean, Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: lean, Lean Tools & Techniques
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Michael Baudin has posted a visual representation of lean scheduling over at his blog. It is adapted from a real test data set, and is an interesting graphic to view.
Head on over here to view the graphic.
5S First? January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in 5S & Visual Management, Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: 5S, Lean Tools & Techniques
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The Old Lean Dude writes about an Australian event heckler, who challenged him on the notion that 5S is a good starting place because it is easy. Bruce initially replied that different starting places were important for different companies. He later spoke with the heckler, saying that explaining TPS is easier when broken down, beginning with 5S. Sometimes, the wrong questions about a company are asked.
Check out the interesting anecdote here.
5S First? January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in 5S & Visual Management, Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: 5S, Lean Tools & Techniques
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The Old Lean Dude writes about an Australian event heckler, who challenged him on the notion that 5S is a good starting place because it is easy. Bruce initially replied that different starting places were important for different companies. He later spoke with the heckler, saying that explaining TPS is easier when broken down, beginning with 5S. Sometimes, the wrong questions about a company are asked.
Check out the interesting anecdote here.
Value Stream Wrapping January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in 5S & Visual Management, A3, Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: 5S, 5S & Visual Management, Lean Tools & Techniques
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The Old Lean Dude recalls a lesson from a science professor who related to him that observation without sharing has no value. Value stream mapping doesn’t have to be a work of art, but it has to be legible, and it should focus on the subject, not making the map look good.
Read the Old Lean Dude’s post here.
Value Stream Wrapping January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in 5S & Visual Management, A3, Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: 5S, 5S & Visual Management, Lean Tools & Techniques
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The Old Lean Dude recalls a lesson from a science professor who related to him that observation without sharing has no value. Value stream mapping doesn’t have to be a work of art, but it has to be legible, and it should focus on the subject, not making the map look good.
Read the Old Lean Dude’s post here.
Lean in the Digital Office January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques
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Lean isn’t always easy to apply in the office, but it can be done. It should begin with how digital information is accessed and used, argues Alan Nicol over at Manufacturing.Net. Poor organization, inventory, and overprocessing (doing more work than is necessary) can lead to unnecessary waste in the office.
For Mr. Nicol’s article at Munfacturing.Net, please head here.
Librarian vs. Archeologist January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques
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Michael Schrage, writing at the Harvard Business Review Blog, states that getting organized is mostly a waste of time. He states how IBM researchers who searched through e-mails found what they were looking for faster and more effectively than those who set up file folders to organize their information. Yet, at Timeback Management, Dan Markovitz explains that sometimes, not all information (like Etruscan pottery and carpet swatches) can be identified electronically. Mr. Markovitz contends different situations need different systems.
Read Mr. Schrage’s posting here. To read Dan Markovitz’s response and thoughts, head here.
How to Trick Yourself Into Thinking You’re Doing Lean (and Trick Others at the Same Time) January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques
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What do you do when a problem solving tool becomes the problem? Jamie Flinchbaugh addresses this question in one of his more recent posts. Sometimes people mistake the problem solving tool for the analysis. Filling out forms, value stream maps, or participating in a lean exercise doesn’t actually solve a problem –thinking does.
Read Mr. Flinchbaugh’s excellent post here.
Lean in the Digital Office January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques
add a comment
Lean isn’t always easy to apply in the office, but it can be done. It should begin with how digital information is accessed and used, argues Alan Nicol over at Manufacturing.Net. Poor organization, inventory, and overprocessing (doing more work than is necessary) can lead to unnecessary waste in the office.
For Mr. Nicol’s article at Munfacturing.Net, please head here.
How to Trick Yourself Into Thinking You’re Doing Lean (and Trick Others at the Same Time) January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques
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What do you do when a problem solving tool becomes the problem? Jamie Flinchbaugh addresses this question in one of his more recent posts. Sometimes people mistake the problem solving tool for the analysis. Filling out forms, value stream maps, or participating in a lean exercise doesn’t actually solve a problem –thinking does.
Read Mr. Flinchbaugh’s excellent post here.
Librarian vs. Archeologist January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques
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Michael Schrage, writing at the Harvard Business Review Blog, states that getting organized is mostly a waste of time. He states how IBM researchers who searched through e-mails found what they were looking for faster and more effectively than those who set up file folders to organize their information. Yet, at Timeback Management, Dan Markovitz explains that sometimes, not all information (like Etruscan pottery and carpet swatches) can be identified electronically. Mr. Markovitz contends different situations need different systems.
Read Mr. Schrage’s posting here. To read Dan Markovitz’s response and thoughts, head here.
Mapping Business Processes Need Not Be Rocket Science December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques
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Inputs, defined as efforts (money, labor, e-mails, phone calls, etc.) is contrasted with output (which is what a customer gets at the end of the day). Process flow mapping can be used as a valuable continuous improvement tool. Brian Venge, writing over at Small Biz Kaizen, offers some valuable tips for the process, such as keeping it simple, using simple words, and defining starting and end points.
Check out the complete list here.
Mapping Business Processes Need Not Be Rocket Science December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques
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Inputs, defined as efforts (money, labor, e-mails, phone calls, etc.) is contrasted with output (which is what a customer gets at the end of the day). Process flow mapping can be used as a valuable continuous improvement tool. Brian Venge, writing over at Small Biz Kaizen, offers some valuable tips for the process, such as keeping it simple, using simple words, and defining starting and end points.
Check out the complete list here.
A Funny “Whys” Video December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques, Uncategorized.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques
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Mark Graban at Lean Blog hosts a video clip of the show “Lucky Louie” where Louie’s daughter asks him “Why?” a few too many times. For any devotee of lean, comedian Louis C.K.’s clip answers the question of how the method of Five Why’s can go completely off track.
Check out the tongue-in-cheek video at Lean Blog.
A Funny “Whys” Video December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques, Uncategorized.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques
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Mark Graban at Lean Blog hosts a video clip of the show “Lucky Louie” where Louie’s daughter asks him “Why?” a few too many times. For any devotee of lean, comedian Louis C.K.’s clip answers the question of how the method of Five Why’s can go completely off track.
Check out the tongue-in-cheek video at Lean Blog.
Mise-en-Place, 5S, and Why Tape Outlines on the Desk are Stupid November 17, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in 5S & Visual Management, Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: 5S, 5S & Visual Management, Lean Tools & Techniques
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Dan at TimeBack Management writes about the confusion that can come with implementing 5S. He believes this occurs because emphasis is placed on the visibility of the tool, rather than actually understanding the tool. The issue for offices isn’t where staplers are positioned, but how information is managed.
Read his insightful post on TimeBack Management here.
Mise-en-Place, 5S, and Why Tape Outlines on the Desk are Stupid November 17, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in 5S & Visual Management, Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: 5S, 5S & Visual Management, Lean Tools & Techniques
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Dan at TimeBack Management writes about the confusion that can come with implementing 5S. He believes this occurs because emphasis is placed on the visibility of the tool, rather than actually understanding the tool. The issue for offices isn’t where staplers are positioned, but how information is managed.
Read his insightful post on TimeBack Management here.
“Management By Walking Around” vs. “Gemba Walks” November 17, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques
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There is a difference between walking around and actually participating in a Gemba Walk, notes Mark Graban at Lean Blog. A manager simply walking around is not active in asking questions, seeking out problems, staying in one spot long enough, or addressing employee concerns.
Check out Mark’s thoughts here.
“Management By Walking Around” vs. “Gemba Walks” November 17, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques
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There is a difference between walking around and actually participating in a Gemba Walk, notes Mark Graban at Lean Blog. A manager simply walking around is not active in asking questions, seeking out problems, staying in one spot long enough, or addressing employee concerns.
Check out Mark’s thoughts here.
Dan Jones: The Financial Consequences of Lean June 2, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in lean accounting, Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: lean accounting, Lean Tools & Techniques
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Dan Jones, writing on The Lean Edge blog, notes that it can be difficult to see the financial benefits of lean because management too often focuses on profit, rather than method. First time lean application can be difficult to administer, and to convince management of the benefits. For a very complex value stream, this can be even more daunting. The utilization of Flow Costing helps set priorities for lean improvement and demonstrates that shorter throughput times make responding to problems and quality issues easier.
Check out Mr. Jones’s post here.
Dan Jones: The Financial Consequences of Lean June 2, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in lean accounting, Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: lean accounting, Lean Tools & Techniques
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Dan Jones, writing on The Lean Edge blog, notes that it can be difficult to see the financial benefits of lean because management too often focuses on profit, rather than method. First time lean application can be difficult to administer, and to convince management of the benefits. For a very complex value stream, this can be even more daunting. The utilization of Flow Costing helps set priorities for lean improvement and demonstrates that shorter throughput times make responding to problems and quality issues easier.
Check out Mr. Jones’s post here.
