While lean strategies and concepts were first developed in the manufacturing world, they have far-reaching benefits in almost any other field. One field that has seen tremendous value from lean strategies in recent years is healthcare. When it comes to lean integrations in healthcare, it’s less about cutting costs and more about reducing issues in [...]
Lean Thinking vs. Old Thinking Every company, from small startups to major corporations, routinely hits plateaus in their company’s continued success. This is an opportunity for companies to analyze what’s working (or what to keep) and what’s not working (or what to change). The difference between companies who continue their success and those who don’t [...]
The Roots of Lean While the birth of Lean is attributed to Motorola in the 1980s, many of today's lean practices have roots as far back as the early 1900s. Lillian Gilbreth, widely considered one of the first industrial/organizational psychologists, was also one of the first female engineers to earn a Ph.D. in psychology. Using her [...]
Big life decisions, like applying for a new job, having kids, or starting your own company require a more sophisticated decision making process. These decisions require research, weighing the costs and benefits, and perhaps even consulting with loved ones or other professionals. Sometimes, we can easily acquire these resources to quickly identify the best choice for [...]
What is the Theory of Constraints? Every organization faces bottlenecks, or constraints, in their daily operations. These constraints are often found in a manufacturing line when there is an issue with a process or procedure. However, constraints can occur across an organization, from personnel to issues with technology. The Theory of Constraints offers a methodology to help [...]
These uncertain times have added an abundance of pressure to manufacturers looking to keep up with increased consumer demand. The problem is that this pandemic world has also led to dramatic decreases in workforce capabilities, leaving companies scrambling to increase their output without increasing their spending. Companies that have adopted Lean strategies, however, are far better [...]
While there are many things that can constitute a Lean pitfall, there are three main pitfalls to be wary of. 1. Rules before Tools! Lean tools are powerful aids to improvement. However, you must first understand Lean thinking and learn the key Lean principles before using the tools. This is the only way you will be [...]
Before we dive into the five key elements, it’s essential to understand that culture is a learned process. Good or bad, folks in any organization will notice the rules and standards that exist around them, and they will perform accordingly. Of course, changing a negative culture to one that is more positive is possible, but it’s [...]
Productive maintenance involves establishing a routine set of care activities with a focus on the following goals: Zero accidents Zero delays Zero deficits Zero failures This does not mean replacing a machine when it goes down, but coming up with effective strategies to keep the machine from breaking down in the first place. Just like you [...]
You may have heard about a Lean training module called The Beer Game. Well, it is not really a game and you do not get to drink beer during the game. (Although many people drink beer after the game) The Beer Game is a simulation of a supply chain that illustrates how systems and processes impact [...]
