Lean continuous improvement is a systematic approach to perfecting business processes and operations by eliminating waste, increasing efficiency, and delivering more value to customers. The “lean” philosophy emphasizes eliminating non-value-ad…
What is Operational Excellence?
Executing a business strategy more effectively and consistently than the competition is called Operational Excellence. Ideally, every employee can see the flow of value to the customer and fix it when the flow …
Ecologists and other environmentally aware people often talk about the goal of “Zero Waste.” But, of course, that’s an outstanding goal for business as well.Reducing waste is at the heart of the Lean business methodology. The purpose of Lean i…
Vital tools for implementing Lean Six Sigma--what they are, how they work, and which to use
The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook is today's most complete and results-based reference to the tools and concepts needed to understand, implement, and leverage Lean Six Sigma. The only guide that groups tools by purpose and use, this hands-on reference provides:
Analyses of nearly 100 tools and methodologies--from DMAIC and Pull Systems to Control Charts and Pareto Charts
Detailed explanations of each tool to help you know how, when, and why to use it for maximum efficacy
Sections for each tool explaining how to create it, how to interpret what you find, and expert tips
Lean Six Sigma is today's leading technique to maximize production efficiency and maintain control over each step in the managerial process. With The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook, you'll discover how to propel your organization to new levels of competitive success--one tool at a time.
Primarily an instructional manual for the DMAIC method, the Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbok is not a book that is going to add any knowledge to an experienced quality resource as many reviews state, but it is a very good tool for teaching new CPI resources. It’s a great book to hand out to every […]
Your spectrum of problems that your team engages with can span from firefighting to strategic breakthroughs, and many levels in between. However, it is very difficult for a team to operate all across the spectrum at once. You have a critical mass of problem-solving efforts and that anchors what your
Episode 29: “Yellow Cards, Coffee Cocktails, and a Barrel Down the Drain” In Episode 29, it’s been a little while since Mark and Jamie got together for Lean Whiskey. We catch up on what’s new, which includes Mark’s new certification with distinction with the WSET Level 2 Spirits certification, and
Coaching is a very personal thing. Some coaches are more driven by their intuition. Some coaches are more driven by a process. Where do you fall on that spectrum? This is a question I ask participants in our coaching workshop. There is no right answer, but there are limitations based
Episode 28: “Mistakes make us better, and make whiskey necessary” In Episode 28, Mark and Jamie begin by having our spouses pour mystery whiskeys for us. We don’t know what they are when we start drinking them. Mark’s wife at least joins him occasionally in a dram, but Jamie’s wife
Coaching means many different things to different people and within different organizations. Often I find someone believes they are coaching when in fact they are just sharing their experiences and points of view at opportune moments. I remember one executive I was coaching, who is now retired, saying “People can’t
PDCA, or “Plan Do Check Act”, is perhaps one of the most well-known concepts in lean and continuous improvement. Not the most understood, but well known about. Anything this ubiquitous and broad is with understanding its historical use and origins. I love diving into histories like this; read economics and