• Ten Inhibitors of Continuous Flow

    Ten Inhibitors of Continuous Flow0

    A Lean Enterprise is centered on the concept of flow. Once value added activities and necessary non-value activities are identified, improvement efforts are directed toward making the activities flow. Flow is the uninterrupted movement of product or service through the system to the customer. An obvious question is why the processes we operate at the

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  • Jidoka: Automation With a Human Touch

    Jidoka: Automation With a Human Touch0

    There is no room for compromise in Lean when it comes to quality. Jidoka incorporates quality checks into every step of the production process by providing machines and operators the ability to detect when an abnormal condition has occurred and immediately stop work. This enables operations to build in quality at each process and to

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  • The Eight Wastes of New Product Development

    The Eight Wastes of New Product Development0

    The first step in eliminating waste from New Product Development (NPD), and thus improving the process, is to learn to identify the eight wastes. By closely examining the entire NPD process from a Lean perspective, the opportunities to drive out waste and increase value will become obvious. Defects Defects are the result of executed processes

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  • Lean Defined by Paul Akers

    Lean Defined by Paul Akers0

    In this new video by Paul Akers, he takes some time define Lean.  It is not about efficiency or killing muda.  Lean is about 2 elements: 1) Learning to see waste 2) Eliminating waste with small continuous improvement with everything endlessly. You can’t be “Lean”.  Lean is a journey. The big Muda that starts the

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  • Don’t Let Lean Myths Stand In Your Way

    Don’t Let Lean Myths Stand In Your Way0

    Lean thinking has been around since the early 90’s. Despite this fact true Lean thinking still evades many. There continues to be stories in the news about company’s misfortunes mistakenly attributed to Lean implementations. If we truly want to improve our businesses we must dispel these myths so the real power and benefits of Lean

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  • Lean, What’s in a Name From Those Who Label It

    Lean, What’s in a Name From Those Who Label It0

    The Willington Companies is a local company that I interact with in our Lean Network. They are a family owned business in Connecticut using Lean manufacturing to stay competitive and grow their business. The Willington Companies have been a great example of Lean manufacturing in the last few years. They recently published a video from

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