San Luis Obispo County in California county recently announced a new program based on Lean Six Sigma. The program, called the Continuous Improvement Project, will focus on using data-driven tools and techniques to identify and eliminate waste, as well as increase efficiency. The decision makes the California coastal county the latest in a series of governments to adopt a program that puts Lean Six Sigma to use in improving public services and reducing costs to taxpayers. For example, the Colorado Department of Transportation has implemented continuous process improvement to better analyze hydr ..read more

Written by: Eric Whitley Lean manufacturing is a systematic approach to minimizing waste while maximizing productivity in the manufacturing process. Central to this method is the role of data flow — the continuous and precise movement of information throughout the manufacturing system. Effective data flow is essential for identifying inefficiencies, making informed decisions, and implementing real-time solutions to improve overall operational performance. This article explains the eight steps required for an accurate data flow in Lean manufacturing. Step 1: Integrate Smart Manufacturing Tools ..read more

Written by: Eric Whitley Takt Time, in the context of Lean Manufacturing, is the rate at which products must be made in a process to meet customer demand. Originating from the German word “Takt,” which means “rhythm” or “meter,” Takt Time is deeply rooted in the idea of creating a harmonious production pace. It aligns with the efficiency-focused principles of Lean Manufacturing by minimizing waste and optimizing resource utilization. Takt Time is a tool that helps operators and engineers in chemical facilities streamline processes, reduce overproduction, and ensure that the production rate pre ..read more

Written by: Eric Whitley In manufacturing, the term Lean refers to a set of principles for optimizing every aspect of the production process. While manufacturing leaders pay much attention to machinery and logistics, the human element often remains an untapped reservoir of potential efficiency. This is where connected worker platforms come into play. Unlike traditional systems that operate in silos, these platforms offer an integrated approach to workforce management, providing real-time data, analytics, and communication tools. Challenges and Solutions in Implementing Lean Manufacturing The j ..read more

Inflationary pressures continue to wreak havoc for many businesses, squeezing them between the twin realities of higher material costs and consumer demand for a stop to the price increases of the past year. Without the ability to pass on increased expenses to customers, businesses need to put continuous process improvement into action to remain profitable. This is one of the reasons that some are projecting that Lean Six Sigma will make a “comeback” in 2023, driving efficiencies across many industries and improving efforts in supply chains, sustainability and Industry 4.0. No one knows where i ..read more

One of the most important tenets of both Lean and Six Sigma is a consistent approach to business. There’s a good reason for that. Consistently cutting waste, reducing defects and improving processes leads to businesses (and individuals) flourishing. Successful people, including team leaders and business executives, consistently do what others do only on occasion. In the context of Lean Six Sigma, it means putting vital tools such as Fishbone Diagrams and the 5 Whys to use. When focusing on Six Sigma, it means following the steps detailed in DMAIC to reduce variance in operational processes an ..read more

Written by Contributing Columnist: David Larsen, PSP, PMP, LSSMBB It had been a long time since I’d last visited an amusement park. But my children were older and tall enough to enjoy the thrilling rides and attractions featured at these destination locations, so when my wife and I learned about a theme park near our home that was offering discounts on annual passes, we opted to become members. As a continuous improvement leader, I find that I am in observation mode most of the time, watching and analyzing people and procedures while enjoying the quality time with my family. On this most recen ..read more

A business improvement process needs the collaboration of many kinds of roles to find success. What’s more, each role has its own set of necessary skills and duties to be performed at various stages of the project. Out of all of these, one of the most important is that of the process owner. In fact, without a proper process owner, business processes fail to come to fruition and can waste great business potential. But who exactly is a process owner? At what stage of a project do you need them? In what ways are they involved in a business improvement endeavor? And which kind of person is qualifi ..read more

As part of its Liftoff for Learning drive, Boeing employees donated time and money to help ensure that school children in cities across the country had enough school supplies to start the new academic year. In Arizona, they also learned the advantage of applying Lean Six Sigma to a volunteer effort. Adam Esposito, a Boeing procurement analyst, realized he could use his Lean Six Sigma project management skills shortly after arriving to help pack school supplies with fellow Boeing employees and members of the community in Mesa, Arizona. Esposito said he first took the time to talk with other vol ..read more

Zero Quality Control refers to an ideal system that produces no defective products and therefore does not require frequent inspections that waste both money and time. Organizations that aspire to process optimization and commit to continuous process improvement make Zero Quality Control the goal. It’s a term coined by Shigeo Shingo, the inventor of the Single-Minute Exchange of Die and Poka-Yoke (POH-kah YO-kay). Shingo also became a key contributor to ideas that formed the Toyota Production System. Shingo died in 1990, but his ideas continue to influence those who use Lean Six Sigma tools and ..read more