Lean

1564 Articles

Help Decision Making with a Cause & Effect (C&E) Matrix

By Ron Pereira - June 12th, 2007

Last night we discussed how we can use a Cause and Effect (C&E) Matrix to narrow down a long list of inputs into a more manageable one.  I also provided a free MS Excel C&E Matrix Template for those interested. Tonight I wan

Why Heijunka – Part 2

By Ron Pereira - June 7th, 2007

Last night we discussed why we would use heijunka in a manufacturing environment in response to a readers question.  Tonight I want to focus in on why we would want to use heijunka, or leveling, in an office environment.    This

Why Heijunka – Part 1

By Ron Pereira - June 6th, 2007

B.D. asked, “You’re talking about HOW to do heijunka, but I’m not seeing WHY.”     Great comment B.D.  I will attempt to answer the why here this evening.  Let’s dig into the manufacturing side of things in this articl

Heijunka in the Front Office

By Ron Pereira - June 5th, 2007

In the house of Toyota heijunka belongs in the foundation.  Sadly many people dismiss this critical lean concept explaining how it isn’t relevant for their business. Heijunka which is properly pronounced (hey-june-kah) and n

Is Laying People off Really Anti-Lean?

By Ron Pereira - June 2nd, 2007

Update: June 3 @ 7:33 PM CST Over the weekend, this post has had some good action (via comments and emails I have received).  I am modifying the original post ever so slightly to make the “assumptions” a bit more clear. 

6 Ways to Use Lean & Six Sigma at Home

By Ron Pereira - June 1st, 2007

Here are some ways to use Lean and Six Sigma methods away from the office. Sort clothes according to color and place them into different bins eliminating the need to sort.  When the bin is full wash those clothes.  Don’t wait

More IBM Nonsense

By Ron Pereira - June 1st, 2007

Here is a doozy related to more IBM “Lean” blabber.  I am pretty sure the only quote I need to share is this.  “Lean is a collection of Six Sigma business processes used by a number of leading companies to improve

All the Surveys are Beginning to Whip Me

By Ron Pereira - June 1st, 2007

OK, I need to pick on some Lean friends of mine.  Well actually they may not even know I exist… but I digress. Anyhow, I was reading an article over at Industry Week (IW) about how Just-In-Time Remains Justifiable.  It’s a good a

5S Simulation

By Ron Pereira - May 29th, 2007

I received my prize for my hard fought victory in the recent GembaPantarei 5S competition.  The prize was a 5S simulation game.  My 4 year old daughter has been after me to let her have a shot at it.  Yesterday was her lucky day!

Tsurube System

By Ron Pereira - May 29th, 2007

After reading some Lean textbooks and possibly attending a conference or two many “Lean Dreams” are crushed when the practitioner is told, “Friend, there ain’t no way we are converting that $4 million paint line into some fancy

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