

Lean Six Sigma Bursts
Brion Hurley
Brion Hurley from Business Performance Improvement shares his takes and thoughts on a variety of topics related to process improvement (specifically Lean and Six Sigma methods), Bursts are rapid improvement activities, so this sounded like a good word to use for these short audio clips. We'll try to keep them under 10 minutes each. Have a question? Use the Spotify app to leave us a voice message, and we might pick your question for our next episode!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 18, 2022 • 5min
E52: "Lean at Home" Course Module #3 - Collecting Data and Mapping the Process
In this episode, I share the 3rd module of the free "Lean at home" course, giving you ideas about what data to collect, and how to better understand your home processes by creating a process map or spaghetti diagram.
At the end of the course, you will have the option to implement a project and get a "Lean at Home" certification.
Over the next few weeks, I will upload other modules from the course. But you don't have to wait.
You can access the entire free course, called "Home Efficiency Using Japanese Lean Productivity Techniques" at https://business-performance-improvement.thinkific.com/courses/home-efficiency-using-japanese-lean-productivity-techniques
Links
Free Lean at Home Course
Need help in your organization? Let's talk! Schedule a free support call
BIZ-PI.com
LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com
Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

Mar 6, 2022 • 6min
E51: "Lean at Home" Course Module #2 - Selecting a Home Process to Improve
In this episode, I share the 2nd module of the free "Lean at home" course, giving you ideas about which process at home you could select for your improvement project. At the end of the course, you will have the option to implement a project and get a "Lean at Home" certification.
Over the next few weeks, I will upload other modules from the course. But you don't have to wait.
You can access the entire free course, called "Home Efficiency Using Japanese Lean Productivity Techniques" at https://business-performance-improvement.thinkific.com/courses/home-efficiency-using-japanese-lean-productivity-techniques
Links
Free Lean at Home Course
Need help in your organization? Let's talk! Schedule a free support call
BIZ-PI.com
LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com
Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

Mar 3, 2022 • 9min
E50: "Lean at Home" Course - Introduction
In this episode, I share the introductory module of the free "Lean at home" course, explaining why I made this course, and why it's a great starting point for anyone interested in learning and practicing Lean and process improvement methods.
Over the next few weeks, I will upload other modules from the course. But you don't have to wait.
You can access the entire free course, called "Home Efficiency Using Japanese Lean Productivity Techniques" at https://business-performance-improvement.thinkific.com/courses/home-efficiency-using-japanese-lean-productivity-techniques
Links
Free Lean at Home Course
Need help in your organization? Let's talk! Schedule a free support call
BIZ-PI.com
LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com
Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

Feb 10, 2022 • 7min
E49: Cross-Training Matrix for Identifying Skills Gaps in your Team
In this episode, I talk about a useful matrix that helps you identify cross-training and skill development opportunities with your team or in your organization. It's called a cross-training matrix, or a skills matrix. Each skill is listed on one side, and each team member is listed on the other side of the matrix. For each combination of skill and person, you determine how much experience they have by filling in a circle (called a harvey ball).
I'm including a link to more details, and an Excel template you can download and use for free.
Links
Cross-Training Matrix on LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com
Free Excel Template for Cross-Training Matrix
Need help in your organization? Let's talk! Schedule a free support call
BIZ-PI.com
LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com
Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

Dec 24, 2021 • 9min
E48: Training is not sufficient for a successful improvement program
In this episode, I rant about the lack of effort some organizations put into their process improvement programs, and then are surprised that it didn't work, and want to blame the tools and methods, not their strategy for deploying it.
Links
Need help in your organization? Let's talk! Schedule a free support call
BIZ-PI.com
LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com
Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

4 snips
Dec 21, 2021 • 11min
E47: Book Review - The Lean Dentist
In this episode, I read the book review I wrote about the book, "The Lean Dentist." It is based on the lean journey of Dr. Sami Bahri, DDS, who is an experienced dentist in Jacksonville, Florida. He has been an avid learner looking for ways to improve his dental clinic, and shares his transition journey to a "one-patient flow." You might also find the book in its original title, "Follow The Learner."
Links
Book review: The Lean Dentist (origin blog of this podcast)
Buy "The Lean Dentist"
"Go See, Ask Why, Show Respect" luggage tags
Taiichi Ohno - The Toyota Production System (Audible)
BIZ-PI.com
LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com
Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

Dec 11, 2021 • 7min
E46: Gather data before defining a problem
In this episode, I talk about the importance of collecting data in the very beginning before you start an improvement project or initiative. The example I use is measuring how much sleep we get a night, and collecting data to see if the current performance is below a target or goal you have. It might not be as bad as you think, or maybe it's worse than you thought. Collect the data first.
Links
Six Sigma Analysis: Is The COVID-19 Quarantine Helping My Sleep?
BIZ-PI.com
LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com
Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

Nov 15, 2021 • 7min
E45: The waste of not being proactive
In this episode, I talk about some other ways to identify waste and opportunity in your process and workday, specifically the tasks that you are not doing, but should be. This proactive work doesn't happen, so you often don't realize that you didn't get around to it. It later shows up as actual waste when something goes wrong or there are problems, but it's too late. Start to notice these proactive activities that you aren't doing as opportunities for improvement.
Links
Honda Statistical Process Control video
BIZ-PI.com
LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com
Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

Sep 30, 2021 • 11min
E44: The waste of physical books that go unread
In this episode, I go on a little rant about books, and how I estimate there are a lot of unread books in people's homes and offices. I'm considering a challenge to get people to read some of their unread books, or get rid of them and free up space in your home. Would you be interested in this challenge?
Links
Book: Joy at Work by Marie Kondo and Scott Sonenshein
Article: 5S and the KonMari method
Training: FREE "Lean at Home" course (Home Efficiency Using Japanese Lean Productivity Techniques)
BIZ-PI.com
LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com
Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

Aug 7, 2021 • 10min
E43: 10 questions to find opportunities to apply Lean Six Sigma to your organization
I was asked a question about how to get started applying Lean and Six Sigma to a non-manufacturing business. I thought about some key questions I would want to ask, and sent them a response. I thought they were good questions, so I wanted to share them on the podcast.
Links
BIZ-PI.com
LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com
Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm


