What is Lean Six Sigma? Lean Six Sigma is a combination of two methodologies “Lean” and “Six Sigma”. Lean and Six Sigma are two faces of a coin. The Lean methodology deals in waste management while Six Sigma deals in quality management. The abbreviation“LSS” is an innovative methodology in which lean and six sigma blend in such an amazing way that eight wastes’ management and the quality of process and product are achieved together.  Success mantra of LSS To make your Lean six sigma project successful, keep the below points in mind: Customer is God Always satisfy the customers by fulfilli ..read more

Kaizen is a Japanese philosophical concept and Lean manufacturing tool which believes that processes can always change for the better and there are no limits to how much they can improve. Translated from Japanese, the word Kaizen is made up of two words, kai which means good, and zen which means change. Although the term and philosophy were designed to serve business and company services or products, it can also enable people to improve themselves and evolve. Getting Started To start growing and improving, the Kaizen philosophy reveals that a person only has to start doing something. That m ..read more

We have many process analysis tools in Lean, but the poka-yoke is one of the most popular ones. In any given process with human operators, mistakes and errors are bound to happen. These lead to defects, which are part of the eight wastes of lean. Poka-yoke, also known as mistake- and error-proofing, helps eliminate mistakes entirely. We will discuss what poka-yoka – pronounced as poh-kah yoh-keh – is, its history, the benefits and some examples. This should briefly introduce you to the concept and why it is useful. While it is mostly used in the manufacturing and service industry, its applica ..read more

What Is Lean Management? Lean management is a point of major importance for many organizations across the globe, and it’s likely going to become even more critical in the near future. As people continue to pay more and more attention to the field, we’re also seeing some new developments in it, and various old ideas have been put to the test, refined, or taken out completely. Understanding the important points of lean management is crucial for any responsible leader who wants to push their organization forward. It’s a tricky topic to get into if you’re not familiar with it already, but it’s de ..read more

5 Qualities of a Lean Manager Lean has been a hot topic in many industries lately, and the attention towards it will likely continue to grow in the coming years. There are many reasons for that, but it usually boils down to one simple truth: it just works. Every leader who has successfully implemented lean methodologies in the work of their own organization has come to the exact same realization. In the end, it’s something that improves the work of the organization in numerous ways. What exactly defines a good lean manager though? What kinds of qualities should one be striving to develop in t ..read more

Lean management is known to be a very positive factor in the work of many organizations. And yet, many leaders seem largely unaware of its positive implications and don’t understand why they need it in their organizations in the first place. And while it’s true that the exact benefits of lean management can be a bit difficult to point out at a glance, it’s not actually that complicated once you dig in a little. Improved Efficiency One of the most noticeable effects you’re going to see over any period of time is an increase in the overall efficiency of the organization. This can be reflected ..read more

Understanding lean management on a fundamental level starts by learning its core principles, and learning how to comply with them in your own work. There are various ways to deepen your understanding on the subject, but it’s something you have to keep informing yourself about on a regular basis. That’s because lean and lean management is a constantly evolving field, and it’s one where you can’t really rely on your previously acquired skills to remain valid forever. You have to keep pushing yourself, and this requires persistence and motivation. If you want to get started with lean as fast as ..read more

8 Wastes of Lean TIMWOODS To create a seamless flow of value that goes all the way to the customer without interruption, waste needs to be reduced. This brings as to an enemy that causes waste in organizational processes, and it goes by the acronym TIMWOODS. Each letter in TIMWOODS represents a type of waste (they are also known as the eight wastes of Lean Six Sigma). Keep on reading to find out what each of those letters means.   1. Transportation When products, equipment, inventory, tools and people move further than they need to, you have Transportation waste. Defects and damage to pro ..read more

Lean thinking has played a major role in helping original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) prime their processes for continuous improvement. And when it comes to Lean, there are five foundational principles every manufacturer needs to know, according to The Lean Enterprise Institution. There’s no magic behind these steps; just proper understanding to make sure all Lean initiatives turn out successful. These principles are essentially strategic steps that must be followed in order since each of them builds upon the other. The five lean principles are: identify value, map the value stream, create ..read more

What Do Lean and Agile Have in Common? Both lean and agile are terms which refer to modern advancements in the way work is done, which have led to reduced cost, faster response times, and better customer services for many companies in different industries. Although both lean’ and agile’ refer to two separate concepts, the two do share certain similarities, and each have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Deciding whether to utilize lean, agile, or both methods for your organization is an important first step for any new manufacturing start-up. Lean Manufacturing Methods Runn ..read more