Lean

1566 Articles

North American Manufacturing

By Ron - March 21st, 2007

I recently read an interesting article related to manufacturing in North America. Here are some interesting quotes for those wanting the abbreviated version: “But CMP, which opened its first U.S. manufacturing operation just north of

Introducing SPACER

By Ron - March 18th, 2007

Tonight I want to introduce one of the best tools available to ensure you have a good meeting or training class. The technique I am referring to is called SPACER. It stands for: Safety Purpose Agenda Conduct Expectations Roles It sound

The Mysterious Process Cycle Efficiency

By Ron - March 15th, 2007

A key metric used by Lean practitioners is Process Cycle Efficiency (PCE). You may also hear it called Value Added Ratio. When used in conjunction with a Value Stream Map, PCE is calculated as follows: Value Add Time / Production Lead

Confused about Waste

By Ron - March 13th, 2007

A while back I wrote about how I felt waiting was the worst of the 7 wastes. OK, so being trapped on an airplane may have influenced that post a bit but I bring it up since I outlined the 7 (or 8 depending on whose book you read) deadl

TPS and Family Time

By Ron - March 11th, 2007

For some reason a book I had never read, and should have read many years ago, is the masterpiece The Toyota Way by Jeffrey Liker. Well the drought is over as I am presently devouring the book. It is a good book so far (I’m in chapter

Get on your Knees

By Ron - March 9th, 2007

I just read Mike Wrobleski’s recent post on leadership. It was good but actually sparked another thought in my mind related to a previous post he made some time ago after he went to the, oh I pray I get to go one day, Japan Kaikaku E

Teaching our Kids

By Ron - March 1st, 2007

I am of the opinion that the US education system needs some major work. Today, in our public school system we push students through with little regard to what their strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes are. I once heard (from som

Construction Industry Uses LSS

By Ron - February 28th, 2007

I came across this article and while it doesn’t go into great detail it talks about how LSS was taught to home builders during the final days of a workshop. It is always encouraging to me when I see and hear of other industries u

Lean Six Sigma Hot Sports Opinions

By Ron - February 26th, 2007

It seems “Lean Six Sigma” has been on the minds of some bloggers lately. There was a great discussion over at the Gemba Research blog here. I saw Rob commented on the topic here. Last, but certainly not least, the folks at the Scra

Once a Month Cooking – Lean or Not?

By Ron - February 23rd, 2007

A few posts ago I went on about my Sensei wife. I told you how she was teaching my kids about lean concepts, etc. Well, I must be fair and balanced with my blogging and need to confess something to you all. Tonight, my beautiful wife i

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