Hoshin kanri, or Hoshin planning, is an integral part of the House of Lean Production that encourages employees to be involved in company planning. Every company needs clear goals and a well-thought-out plan to achieve them. Hoshin Kanri helps companies by identifying goals, figuring out the best ways to reach those goals, and supporting the actions required. Let’s dive deeper into Hoshin Kanri, starting with what it is and the four phases of its application. What is planning? Planning is figuring out how to gain an advantage and achieve goals by making a strategy. It involves answering two c ..read more

Involvement is a crucial aspect of the House of Lean Production. When all employees are involved in the company, it becomes easier to spot problems. Active involvement is crucial in any company and requires careful management, like the production process and product quality. Before implementing it, companies must identify the appropriate method and the skills needed to establish long-lasting engagement. This chapter will delve into the concept of involvement in more depth, including its definition, purpose, and methods. What is involvement? Involvement means taking part in an activity. It is ..read more

In today’s digital world, having a solid online presence is vital for businesses and websites to succeed. That’s where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) comes in. It is like the secret code search engines use to find and rank websites based on relevance and credibility.  By understanding and applying its basics, you can make your website more visible on search engine results pages, attract more organic traffic, and drive growth for your online presence. The strategy can be overwhelming if you’re new to the concept. However, this is where our guide comes in. We’ll break down the complex con ..read more

When discussing using social media to promote your business, we mentioned that the content you share is crucial. It’s what keeps people interested and ensures they have a good experience. Now, let’s take a closer look at content marketing. Content marketing is all about creating and sharing valuable and relevant content consistently. It’s not just about trying to sell something; it’s about providing value, educating, entertaining, and engaging your target audience.  By delivering helpful and meaningful content, businesses can build trust, establish relationships, and encourage customers t ..read more

Poka-yoke is a vital part of Jidoka in the House of Lean Production. Its main goal is to prevent errors and defects. The manufacturing industry utilizes Poka-yoke as a standardized work technique. The main idea behind Poka-yoke is to stop errors and defects before they happen. Using Poka-yoke has proven to be highly effective in improving production efficiency in manufacturing. Now, let’s explore the definitions, benefits, and examples of Poka-yoke: What is Poka-yoke? Poka-yoke is a concept from Japan. Shigeo Shingo coined the term, and it’s all about stopping mistakes and ensuring products a ..read more

Jidoka is an integral part of Lean Production, just like the Just-in-Time (JIT) system we discussed earlier. While JIT focuses on product quality, Jidoka ensures quality is built right from the beginning. Without Jidoka, the Lean system could become imbalanced and fall apart. Jidoka operates on these three fundamental principles: Not accepting defects. Avoiding the production of faulty products. Stopping defects from passing on to the next stage. Let’s look closely at Jidoka, including its meaning, why it’s essential, and how organizations can apply it in practice. What is Jidoka? Jidoka co ..read more

Value Stream Mapping (VSM) supports the formation of Just-in-Time, as explained in the previous chapter. By implementing VSM, you can visualize, analyze, and improve all steps in product delivery. In today’s saturated market conditions, it’s challenging to convince customers. Therefore, it is crucial to provide the value they need. VSM is a strategy to enhance excellence and create the value customers seek. Let’s dive into the definition, process, and objectives of Value Stream Mapping. What is Value Stream Mapping? Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is a helpful tool for understanding your company’s ..read more

This chapter discusses another House of Lean Production component: the pull system. As explained in the previous chapter, the pull system is critical in achieving Just-in-Time. The pull system is a way to control production that helps prevent making too much stuff. It’s one of the main parts of a complete Just-in-Time (JIT) production system, along with Kanban and Heijunka. In a pull production system, the downstream operations (either in the same or different places) let the upstream operations know what parts or materials they need, how many they need, and when and where they need them. The ..read more

Heijunka forms an integral part of the Just in Time (JIT) system, which we discussed in a previous chapter. It serves as a foundational element within the House of Lean Production. Heijunka organizes production that balances daily or monthly work to meet specific targets and requirements. Toyota developed this approach to move away from the traditional method of assembling cars in large batches based on demand. Here is a detailed explanation of the definitions, methods, and benefits of Heijunka: What is Heijunka? Heijunka, or product leveling, is evenly distributing production volumes over ti ..read more

Kanban is a crucial part of the Just in Time (JIT) system, which we discussed in the preceding chapter. It serves as the wall of the House of Lean Production. Kanban is a method that visualizes work, maximizes efficiency, and improves operations. A Kanban board displays jobs, enabling workers to handle complex projects in a single environment.  Below, we explain Kanban’s definitions, rules, and benefits when implemented in companies. What is Kanban? Kanban helps with JIT production. The term comes from Japan and means a visual board or sign. Toyota was the first to use this method as a s ..read more