Workplace Organization Using the 5S System Sort—Remove unneeded items Set in Order—Identify “homes” for everything Shine—Clean enough for inspection Standardize—Create SOPs and instructions Sustain—Support and reward The 5S System is a workplace organization method that greatly improves the efficiency and …
Lean Assessments
To get started, you will need (among other things) an open and objective assessment that evaluates current practices on the shop floor. You need an insight into where the Six Hidden Wastes exist and how to remove them. The assessment …
Overview of Waste
Waste exists in every system. From manufacturing and assembly to hospitality, healthcare, transportation, and social services, there’s no escaping it—but there’s plenty we can do about it. Waste is a problem for businesses. Waste can cost companies millions of dollars …
Guest Commentary: Broken Pots and the Art of Innovation
This post was authored by Susan A. Nally, Lean Specialist for Roll Forming Corporation. Susan has a diverse background in technical writing, public speaking, and implementing Lean Strategies for manufacturing and health care industries. Susan has worked for Roll Forming Corporation …
Launching a CI System
Other writings here have discussed the importance of culture in creating and sustaining an effective CI program. But now we’ll turn our attention to some of the tools and methodology—and this post, to get us started, will give some starting …
Building Culture: Attitude
This is the first entry in a series on keys to CI culture. If I wanted to, I could make a perfectly healthy employee at my company feel ill. It wouldn’t require foul play of any kind. Want to know how …
The Hawthorne Effect
We’ll spend a great deal of time talking about specific tools later on, but while we’re knee-deep in a discussion of company culture and values, there’s one indispensable tool to introduce, and that tool (or principle) is called the Hawthorne …
Culture: Give It a Name!
When I realized I needed to launch some sort of effort to “turn around” our company, I still hadn’t realized a few things that now seem obvious. In the first place, I didn’t realize right away that it was going …
Guest Commentary: The Unseen Element
This post was authored by Susan A. Nally, Lean Specialist for Roll Forming Corporation. Susan has a diverse background in technical writing, public speaking, and implementing Lean Strategies for manufacturing and health care industries. Susan has worked for Roll Forming Corporation …