Deming Cycle

The Deming Cycle, also known as the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle is a standardized problem solving approach. It is widely taught as part of most companies’ Lean training. PDCA is built into nearly all structured problem-solving tools, such as kaizen projects, A3 reports, policy deployment, and countermeasures. The Deming Cycle is Read more…

Autoejector Device

Chaku-Chaku

A chaku-chaku line has a series of machines, each equipped with a hanedashi device, or autoejector. This enables the operator working a chaku-chaku line to: walk up and immediately insert the part he is holding into a machine press a start button, and then pick up the previously ejected part. Read more…

Catchball

Catchball is a business management technique of floating ideas and comments around in an iterative manner. The name comes from the metaphor of tossing an idea back and forth, much like you might with a football. In Lean, the catchball process refines ideas promotes buy-in from the front line encourages Read more…

Brainstorming Techniques

Brainstorming techniques have varying degrees of structure, but they are all used to generate ideas. Brainstorming techniques include: A brainstorming session in which everyone in the room blurts out ideas. A brainstorming session that takes a round-robin approach, with each person presenting an idea in turn. A brainstorming session in Read more…

3 reals-look at real work at real place

3 Reals

The ‘3 reals’ ties closely to the concept of gemba. The premise behind the ‘3 reals’ is simply that you can’t learn about something unless you go to the point of impact and look at what is actually happening. The 3 Reals Go to the real place… To observe the Read more…