A3 Problem-Solving: Fight the Root Cause
Running businesses and dealing with problems go hand in hand. Despite careful planning and preventive measures, challenges still arise. When such problems occur on the manufacturing floor, quick fixes are often prioritized. However, rushing to short-term fixes without a structured approach often leads to recurring problems. The key to effective problem resolution lies in identifying […]
Lean Manufacturing in Supply Chain: What Does It Look Like?
The first thing that every business needs to learn is that lean manufacturing matters A LOT in supply chain management. Why? Because it ultimately plays a leading role in the business’s success. Well, if that’s valid, here comes the question: What does effective lean manufacturing in supply chain management look like? The answer is simple: […]
What is SIPOC in Six Sigma? Everything You Need to Know
30% reduction in undetected dispensing errors! Isn’t it tremendous? That’s the result a healthcare facility achieved after implementing Six Sigma’s SIPOC. And that’s what we’re exclusively talking about here. Businesses struggle with defects, operational efficiency, and consistent customer satisfaction. To tackle these issues, Six Sigma emerges as a powerful approach that ensures reduced defects and […]
DMAIC vs DMADV
DMAIC and DMADV are the top Lean Six Sigma practices to drive process and business improvement. DMAIC focuses on enhancing existing processes, while DMADV targets the design of new ones. Do you have issues like long cycle times, waste, or inefficiencies that are causing chaos in your manufacturing, service, or design? Lean Six Sigma’s frameworks […]
Heijunka: Definition, Techniques, and Example
With continuous improvement and lean management, Toyota attained the level of efficiency that declared it a leader in the automobile industry. Being crowned the world’s best-selling automaker for the 3rd time in 2022 is an outstanding achievement. Raising TPS to such heights wasn’t possible without lean management, Heijunka, and its lean siblings. Manufacturers often face […]
One Piece Flow in Manufacturing: Optimize Your Entire Production
Businesses are constantly juggling waste reduction, improving profitability, and reducing downtime because these are crucial for product quality and boosting efficiency. Fortunately, there are ways to implement these goals smartly. One-piece flow or Continuous Flow is a lean manufacturing tool that focuses on working on one single unit at a designated time in one go […]
Gemba and Its Meaning – The Heart of Lean Management
Business success can be defined in many ways, but these two attributes are the ones that every business aims to achieve: continuous improvement and overall efficiency. Call them the parameters that determine your success in the competitive landscape, as they steer you ahead to stay competitive and satisfy your customers according to expectations. Lean management […]
What is Jidoka?
Every business strives for continuous workflow, which leads to overall efficiency. Jidoka is the mainstream lean tool that maintains the workflow by detecting and eliminating the problems in the lean supply chain. If your goal is to deliver according to your customer’s expectations and maintain a steady workflow in a process that can quickly identify […]
What is Hoshin Kanri?
Originating in Japan, Hoshin Kanri is a strategic planning method. The term “Hoshin” means “direction or compass,” and “Kanri” stands for “management or administration.”The whole term thus translates to Compass Management. Also known as Policy Deployment or Strategy Deployment, Hoshin Kanri is a powerful methodology that aligns a company’s overarching goals (strategy) with the plan […]
What is a Bottleneck in Business?
Even the most well-oiled factories, operations and businesses can face obstacles to maximizing production. Often referred to as “bottlenecks,” these obstacles can slow down progress and compromise efficiency, placing profitability at stake. Formally speaking, a bottleneck in business is a point or situation where the workflow or production slows down or is interrupted, leading to […]