Lean Six Sigma Bursts

During a recent coaching call with a client, we discussed applicability of statistical process control (SPC) and control charts (also called process behavior charts) in their operations. I sent them a link to the Honda SPC video (older but highly recommended) and I share the comments I made to elaborate on what they saw.  Links Honda Statistical Process Control video BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

After conducting a Lean 101 webinar for Lean Portland, we had some excellent questions from the attendees, so I thought I share my answers. The first question was looking for advice on how management can support their employees instead of just giving them their idea on what the answers are. The second question asked about how to deal with managers who think that no complaints means no problems. You can watch the full Lean 101 webinar in the links below. Links Lean 101 Webinar BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

After conducting a Lean 101 webinar for Lean Portland, we had some excellent questions from the attendees, so I thought I share my answers. The first question was looking for advice on how to make their forms easier and more streamlined for their customers. The second question asked about how to create psychological safety and build trust in their organization when top management doesn't seem to be driving it. You can watch the Lean 101 webinar in the links below. Links Lean 101 Webinar BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

After conducting a Lean 101 webinar for Lean Portland, we had some excellent questions from the attendees, so I thought I share my answers. The first question was looking for more explanation about batching vs one piece flow. The second question asked about classical vs lean management methods. You can watch the Lean 101 webinar in the links below. Links Lean 101 Webinar BIZ-PI.com Creative Safety Supply (enter code "BPI" to save 10%) Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

Project charters for improvement projects do not have solutions listed. Instead, they should explain the problem, the management support for this project, the key team members, the scope, the timeline and key metrics of success. They should not have the proposed solution, as we shouldn't have that figured out yet. We still need to follow the problem solving approach. I explain my thoughts on this in more depth. Links BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

Developed by Genichi Taguchi, the Taguchi Loss Function is a graphical representation of how an increase in variation away from the target value (even within specification limits) leads to an exponential increase in customer dissatisfaction. This is different than the traditional approach of viewing results within the specification limits as good, and results outside of the specification limits as bad. Links Taguchi Loss Function Video of Ford Transmission Study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAfUOfSY-S0 BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

When describing the methodology of a kaizen or kaikaku event, I often break it up into two main types: Working session - traditional approach where 80% of the work is implemented during the 2-5 day event Planning session - process mapping approach where the team generates a 90-day action plan during the 2-5 day event I explain the differences and when to use each type, along with describing how projects and point kaizen (or kaizen blitz/burst activities) fit within these activities. Links What is Kaikaku? Video of Kaizen Planning Event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYsn0X0EVRI Video of Kaizen Working Event (within a larger 8-week project): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EedMmMedj3M Video of Kaizen Blitz or Point Kaizen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA1ddcXfqM0 BIZ-PI.com Creative Safety Supply Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

A common question I hear is "what if my company doesn't support process improvement?" I share 4 main approaches you can take to deal with this situation, instead of feeling frustrated by it. Links LeanSixSigmaHomes.com BIZ-PI.com Creative Safety Supply Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

I share my experience getting my first COVID-19 vaccine shot, and how I analyzed that process from a lean perspective. I found that there was only one second of value, compared to a process that took me over an hour to complete. On a related note, I also have some links to lean applied during the pandemic on my website (see links below). Links Applying Lean Methods to Mitigate COVID-19 at Work BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

I was recently asked about the difference between PDCA and PDSA. I had heard some new information from another podcast, and dug into one of the references to learn more about it. In this episode, I read through a paper from Ronald Moen that provides a good historical perspective. Note: I mispronounced Charlie Protzman's name in the audio. Apologies! Links Foundation and History of the PDSA Cycle - Ronald Moen  Podcast Interview with Charlie Protzman and Patrick Adams BIZ-PI.com Creative Safety Supply Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm