Continuous flow is the act of moving a product through the production process from start to finish without stopping. In pure continuous flow, the cycle time equals the lead time, as the product never sits in a queue waiting to be worked on. Contrast this to batch and queue production Read more…
Check Sheets are a means of tallying data. They are generally kept at the point of data collection, and every time a particular incident happens, a check is placed in the appropriate box. In many cases, the check sheet will be broken down into a grid. The columns most often Read more…
Lean works. It’s been proven time and time again that its methods and strategies are effective, and that companies that crack the code of Lean improve their operations significantly. But Lean also flounders in some companies, making it harder than it needs to be and limiting its progress. My perception Read more…
In traditional manufacturing, there is a tendency to run large lots, or batches. This occurs for a variety of reasons—large distances between processes, long setup times, or simply poor processes. When the batch is transferred to the downstream process, it sits in line. That is the ‘queuing’ part of batch Read more…
Autonomation is automation with a human touch. It essentially means that an automated machine has the built-in intelligence to identify when there is a problem, shut itself off, and signal the operator. This action prevents the machine from damaging itself or from producing more bad parts. See Also: Jidoka
I recently went to a restaurant, and received this bill for an item that cost $12.95 on the menu: Item Price Food $12.95 Food Preparation Surcharge $3.95 Property Tax Surcharge $0.95 Site Security Fees $0.37 Waiting Area Use Fee $0.46 Clean-up Fee $0.99 Booth Usage Fees $0.76 Imagine how this Read more…
Learning the technical aspects of Lean takes time and effort. But, what few people recognize is that it is much harder to develop the soft skills of continuous improvement. The following list contains some of the greatest challenges—and opportunities—for many Lean leaders. Granting Authority The single biggest mistake that leaders Read more…
I was leafing through a folder of interesting articles I clip to give me ideas for my writing, and came across a Men’s Health clip from a few years ago. The story doesn’t provide numbers, but it quotes ‘studies’ that show some of the benefits of being a happy person. Read more…
Nothing beats hands on practice to reinforce important points in Lean training. Our Lean Lego® exercises do just that, all while making your training fun. Why use Velaction’s Lean Lego exercises? They are fun. What better way engaged people in a training exercise than making them enjoy it? Our Lean Read more…
In my travels, I have lost track of how many people have told me that their situation is unique, or that their process is different. The truth of the matter is that they are right. Every process is unique, and every situation is different. But ironically, that very fact means Read more…
I am often asked about what can make implementing Lean easier, or how to do it quicker. Unfortunately, implementing Lean takes a lot of effort. It requires a lot of expertise, experience, and a wide array of skills to make it successful. There are no magic wands, special beans, or Read more…
Last night, I was trying to think of a topic for an article to write for this morning’s post. At first, I felt my blood pressure start to rise in lockstep with the rising job stress. But then, I remembered something. I know Lean principles. I suddenly realized that I’ve Read more…