Changing processes can seem a little scary, but the PDCA makes it simple. The PDCA cycle promotes efficiency in the workplace and provides a framework for implementing changes or solving problems through the following four steps: Plan > Do > Check > Act. The origins of this cycle come from a Lean pioneer Dr. W. Edwards Deming and the PDCA cycle is now a widely used tool for any Lean business. The PDCA cycle can …
Value stream mapping is a Lean activity focused on identifying areas of improvement in processes. A value stream map is a hand-drawn diagram of a workplace that shows the flow of materials moving through different areas. The map should have more information on it including how long tasks take and how often orders for materials are placed. There are many benefits of creating a holistic view of the entire current system including the ability to …
Have you taken a Gemba walk around your facility before? Gemba is a Japanese term meaning “the real place” and is an important tool for any Lean workplace. A Gemba walk is a scheduled walk that company leaders take around the facility to see processes up close and talk with frontline workers. Managers and supervisors can learn a ton from a Gemba walk by personally connecting with the work up close. It fosters communication and …
Kaizen and Lean go hand-in-hand. Lean aims to reduce wastes while improving quality and Kaizen is the strategy of continually making improvements around the workplace. All of these small improvements will add up to more noticeable changes and ultimately affect the bottom line. In this Tedx Talk, Mike Morrill explains how Kaizen has impacted his life. Morrill’s introduction to Lean was through the teachings of Paul Akers, a self-described “Lean maniac.” He was struck by …