According to the ASQ, lean is defined as “a set of management practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness by eliminating waste. The core principle of lean is to reduce and eliminate non-value-adding activities and waste.” When implemented effectively, the benefits of creating a lean workplace are vast and can enhance business productivity going forward. Adopting…
Lean manufacturing and just-in-time production both have their roots in the revolutionary Toyota Production System. The Toyota Production was developed between 1948 and 1975 and is now a common management philosophy that is practiced in some of the biggest companies in the world. TPS aims to have a facility that is operating efficiently, is not…
Do you know the wastes of Lean? The original 7 Wastes of Lean are recognized by the Toyota Production System as the most common wastes manufacturers face. An eighth waste has been added however, and the philosophy is now referred to as the 8 Wastes of Lean. The different tools and strategies that Lean encompasses…
5S is a popular strategy used in Lean workplaces as a means to make the facility easier to navigate, find what they need, and keep things organized. Both 5s and Lean rely on the use of visual cues for success. Using floor markings, signs, labels, and a color coding system will help to quickly communicate…
Having a Lean facility means to have a facility promoting efficiency and the reduction of waste. Work cells are organized in a logical manner and easy to navigate while equipment and tools have their own spaces that are out of the way. A Lean facility will often use visual communication, and you can tell workers…
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…
A popular tool used in Lean businesses is a tool called Kanban, a Japanese word meaning sign. It is used in the just-in-time system of production as a means of regulation. In terms of manufacturing, a Kanban system usually uses a bin and card system that triggers a certain action. For instance, the production…
Six Sigma is quality-management strategy often used in Lean manufacturing. It focuses on quality control and its principles have been established from several Lean methods. The main waste Six Sigma works to eliminate are defects. Defects in processes or the product will ultimately cost the business time and resources. A prime example of Lean’s…
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…
A strategy often used in Lean is 5S. 5S is an organizational framework that relies on visual management and offers steps to organize spaces, eliminate wastes, and increase efficiency. The methodology of 5S is comprised of the following five steps: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. Putting time and effort to each step…