With the success of Lean Manufacturing, it is common these days to hear people say we are Leaning out the process. But do people really understand what Leaning out means.
I have come to realize that the phrase Leaning out means different things to different people. Here is the list of some of them...
- optimizing material movement
- removing obstacles in the process
- re-arranging the area
- re-arranging people
- removing clutter
- doing more with less
Although all of the above are good interpretation of the term "leaning out". I think most people undermine the true meaning of the term which is to remove all non value added activities in a process to improve flow. But why is flow important? And above all what should flow?
I think the term "leaning out a process" is used rather loosely at all levels of the enterprise without understanding the true meaning.
Have you heard the term "Leaning out"? What thoughts come to your mind when you hear this term? Drop us a line at info@sybeq.com
Friday, December 30, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Continuously improve in 2011
The New Year has begun and every new year kicks off new projects/programs.
New programs in almost every function of the enterprise are planned for the entire year.And Continuous Improvement program also gets new goals, targets and plans.
Continuous improvement is tough in today's business climate.
Businesses are trying to do more with less. Less resources to take care of routine work. On top of this there is the CI program that needs resources too.
Most people devote time to CI projects after taking care of their routine responsibilities.
So how do you plan for Continuous Improvements in 2011?
1. Simple tools like 5-Why Analysis, PDCA, Cause and Effect diagram are easy to understand and use.
2. Create a learning environment where everyone learns by applying.
3. Encourage people to just try a new tool or technique for improving a process. Sometimes the best solution is to Just do it.
4. Plan for Continuous improvement with the end goal in mind. Sporadic improvements here and there are useful but won't get the CI program far.
5. Link each CI activity/project to financial benefits.
6. Communicate the progress of the CI program to all levels of the enterprise. Leadership needs to know what has been achieved and the goals for the CI program.
7. Periodically Measure how the CI program is actually doing compared to the goals/targets.
8. Tweak the program if it is not achieving the set goals but never give up on your CI initiative.
9. Know your CI toolkit and update your skills to use the tools in your improvement projects.
10. The key is to persist inspite of the challenges and never stop continuously improving your processes!
We would like to hear about your CI program in 2011. Are you planning for new tools you would try in your CI projects?
Drop us a line about your CI plans for 2011 at info@sybeq.com.
New programs in almost every function of the enterprise are planned for the entire year.And Continuous Improvement program also gets new goals, targets and plans.
Continuous improvement is tough in today's business climate.
Businesses are trying to do more with less. Less resources to take care of routine work. On top of this there is the CI program that needs resources too.
Most people devote time to CI projects after taking care of their routine responsibilities.
So how do you plan for Continuous Improvements in 2011?
1. Simple tools like 5-Why Analysis, PDCA, Cause and Effect diagram are easy to understand and use.
2. Create a learning environment where everyone learns by applying.
3. Encourage people to just try a new tool or technique for improving a process. Sometimes the best solution is to Just do it.
4. Plan for Continuous improvement with the end goal in mind. Sporadic improvements here and there are useful but won't get the CI program far.
5. Link each CI activity/project to financial benefits.
6. Communicate the progress of the CI program to all levels of the enterprise. Leadership needs to know what has been achieved and the goals for the CI program.
7. Periodically Measure how the CI program is actually doing compared to the goals/targets.
8. Tweak the program if it is not achieving the set goals but never give up on your CI initiative.
9. Know your CI toolkit and update your skills to use the tools in your improvement projects.
10. The key is to persist inspite of the challenges and never stop continuously improving your processes!
We would like to hear about your CI program in 2011. Are you planning for new tools you would try in your CI projects?
Drop us a line about your CI plans for 2011 at info@sybeq.com.
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