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The FMEA Worksheet (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) supports the process of managing the risk associated with product or process failures. Traditionally an engineering tool, the FMEA Worksheet is also useful when assessing the risk of a Lean project. Watch Our FMEA Video The basic steps to using the FMEA Read more…
The Countermeasure Sheet is a form used to track the actions necessary to get a KPI metric or other goal back on track. The basic steps to using the Countermeasure Sheet are: Fill out the header information. Create a problem statement. Do your homework and provide the background information. Do Read more…
The 5 Whys form is a simple tool that helps improvement teams find the root cause of a problem. This simple form documents the problem solver’s progress. Velaction’s version of the 5 Whys template adds in a unique feature: the confirmation step. One of the drawbacks of the 5 Whys Read more…
A kaizen charter is a form that lays out the scope and goals of a rapid improvement project. Get Our Kaizen Charter Form for FREE The kaizen charter is a living document that evolves throughout the planning process. It establishes the team, and scopes the project, setting the goals and Read more…
The waste recording form is a simple tool for documenting waste during a process walk. The observer focuses on identifying the wasteful activities a person is performing and records them on the form. The form will usually contain a place to categorize the waste. Waste reduction is a large part Read more…
The Time Observation Sheet is one of the four primary forms for developing Standard Work. The others are: The Standard Work Sheet The Standard Work Combination Sheet Work Instructions The Time Observation Sheet is used to, not surprisingly, observe the cycle times of the steps of Standard Work. Unfortunately, many Read more…
A kanban card is small card containing information about a specific part used in production. It is a signal that tells someone upstream to move, purchase, or build more of a component for production. These cards must contain the number of units (items, pounds, kits, etc.) that need action. They Read more…
A takt time calculator is simply a tool, usually a spreadsheet, with the takt time calculations already programmed in. It is most useful for people who don’t routinely calculate takt time. The takt time calculator should take people through all the steps of determining takt time. Get Our Takt Time Read more…
A Standard Work Combination Sheet (SWCS) is also known as a Standard Work Combination Chart, or a Standardized Work Combination Table. Regardless of what you call it, it is one of the most critical documents to your Lean success. Standard Work Combination Sheets goes hand-in-hand with Standard Work Sheets. In Read more…
The Standard Work Sheet is a staple form for Lean Manufacturing. It provides a graphical view of the workstation, the path of the operator, and the amount of standard work-in-process required to keep the process flowing smoothly. This form goes hand-in-hand with the Standard Work Combination Sheet. Directions for the Read more…