"I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of a man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor." Henry David Thoreau

 

....How does this story apply to implementation of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies?  Six Sigma is a culture, as is Lean.  If your company has never before dealt with or encountered the Lean and Six Sigma philosophies then the initial reaction is extreme if not contained (Project Scope will be discussed later).  As your company begins to adopt and 'become' this new culture the projects will become less and less extensive, with Six Sigma and Lean techniques eventually become the tools that keep you ahead of your competition.

 

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."  Lao-Tzu

 

....I expect nothing less than perfection in everything I do; Six Sigma and Lean techniques and I are of the same substance.  My work area IS the 5S approach, when planning a vacation, trip, major purchase, etcetera I use the same strategies I teach during Six Sigma discussions.  If I am dissatisfied with something... I change it.  I challenge "accepted" or "assumed" knowledge and often triumph... Read More

 

...Let us  to reveiw two of the easier to understand tools used in Lean and Six Sigma.  These two were chosen because of their wide range of uses/diversity.  Kano's Model and the CTQ Tree(Critical to Quality Tree) can help reduce a large problem or plan down to bit sized chunks...  Read More

 

"All we are trying to do is shorten the timeline... from order receipt to collecting the cash for the goods or services provided"  Taiichi Ohno when asked about the essence of TPS (Toyota Production System)

 

...Did you know some people list inventory under assets?  This ludicrous practice is an easy way to go bankrupt!  A bold statement but gaining wide acceptance... let me explain. 

Inventory, whether it be finished product, unfinished product, half completed projects, or standard manufacturing inventory - all costs money to purchase, to house, to track, you name it.  A simple question that provokes several more - How are you benefiting from holding this inventory? Now - Is cash flow increasing or decreasing? What storage cost are you incurring... Read More

 

MOST PEOPLE WOULD RATHER LIVE WITH A PROBLEM THEY CAN'T SOLVE, THAN ACCEPT A SOLUTION THEY CAN'T UNDERSTAND. - R.E.D. Woolsey and H.S. Swanson

 

....Lean, now joined with Six Sigma to form the Lean Six Sigma methodology, is commonly traced back to Henry Ford's attempts at reducing wasted movement and materials in his production plants.  Moving from there the Toyota Production System (TPS) is credited with making the lean methodologies main stream. 

Lean has a fairly short learning curve, focuses on reducing waste and operating costs, increasing throughput, and the average project lasts...Read More