Business Optimization Using Lean Production Methods
Published by Jean McKonnel - Nov 22, 2007 at 11:27:36
Lean methods for every business process
Lean production methods have been evolving since the
beginning of the industrial revolution. Examples
include Henry Ford’s creation of the first production line for
the automobile industry, and
in World War II where a B24 was rolling of the assembly line
every 56 minutes. Lean methods have been further improved
by Toyota, and other forward
thinking companies with undeniable results. Toyota has been rated #1
in auto manufacturing quality for the past five years.
Lean methods include:
5S Programs
Theory of Constraints
The 7 Wastes
Toyota Production Systems, (TPS)
Demand Flow
Just in Time
Value Stream Mapping
Transactional Mapping
TQC
Re-engineering
In all cases the expected outcome remains the same:
Focus on Customer, their expectations and what they perceive as value
A passion for Continuous Improvement in the elimination of waste
Identification of where an organization adds value and the identification
of non-value activities to enable the successful implementation of
the future state vision
Creating the ability for products or activities, (transactions) to
flow through a process map in shortest amount of time possible
Establishing disciplines to link Customer Demand directly to processes,
transactions, resource, or material.
There is a strong case that
can be made for a partnership between Six Sigma, which fixes processes,
and lean, which fixes the connections between processes. By combining
Six Sigma and Lean you will gain a broad perspective on your people,
processes, and results that will yield powerful data driven solutions
and grow your business.
Many companies will latch onto one or two lean methods
and realize short term improvements. This is where a comprehensive Six
Sigma program then steps in to assess process variation and manage the
continuous improvement of expected outcomes for the long term.
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