Tag: lean

Sep 15 2019 2019-09-15 2019-09-15 NoComment by Andreas

Gemba Walks by James P. Womack

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Today I have added a book to the book section that I highly recommend!

One of the greatest challenges when it comes to Lean is to adapt the thinking of the iterative continuous improvement was to problem solving. In my opinion this is aided by examples from the real world. It is important though not to see them as guides of how to do but rather ideas on how to approach a problem, how to think in the face of challenges.

Of all the books I have read so far this is one of my favourites. We get to come along with James P. Womack on his journey of going to the Gemba and seeing for himself. A valuable insight in to one of the more known students of Lean.


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Sep 13 2019 2019-09-13 2019-10-01 NoComment by Andreas

Chaku Chaku

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Chaku chaku is a way to set up a production line. It is japaneese and litteraly means “load load”. It is a semi-automatic set up in the spirit of autonomation. Automation with a human touch. It can applied successfully in many different situations and can be adapted to be used in many automated processes.

The concept

The basic idea is that you have a series of automated machines doing work on the product. The operator oversee the process and also load material into each machine used to assemble the product. Hence the name chaku chaku or load load. A single operator can this way oversee a number of machines and handle any disruptions while continuously supplying the line with materials.

Scalability

The system is also scalable to counter shifts in demand on TAKT time. In a hight demand situation more operators can work together making every operator load fewer machines per operator or even down to one machine per operator. In a low demand situation an operator can load more machines thus lowering the tempo but better adapting the workload on each operator.


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Sep 02 2019 2019-09-02 2019-10-01 NoComment by Andreas

The journey is hard

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Sometimes the journey of learning any new skill is hard. But in my opinion it’s worth it. The hardships and challenges is part of the process and is what ultimately helps you attain new knowledge and wisdom. This is expressed very good in these two quotes.

“If this Lean stuff seems easy you’re probably not doing it.”

James P. Womack

“If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.”

Zig Ziglar


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Sep 01 2019 2019-09-01 2019-09-01 NoComment by Andreas

Always do YOUR best

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When talking to people about work and improvements they often comment that they don’t know this or they don’t know that.

In the spirit of Kaizen it is important to remember that you improve yourself in increments just as you improve the process or the product. Strive to better yourself by challenging yourself and always try do to your best. Over time your knowledge and capacity will increase step by step.

Maya Angelou expressed this idea beautifully and as you know by now I am real sucker for good quotations.

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

Maya Angelou

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Aug 31 2019 2019-08-31 2019-08-31 NoComment by Andreas

A concept of automation

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Within japaneese styled manufacturing there are a lot of different ways to set up manufacturing. One of these ways are the Chaku Chaku. It could be considered as another application of autonomation, “automation with a human touch” since the operator is ever present and able to supervise the process.

Chaku Chaku

It is a semi-automated way to run manufacturing where the operator prepare the next operation while the machine or line works on the parts in a automatic process. The literal definition is load load which would be the role of the operator.


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Aug 30 2019 2019-08-30 2019-08-30 NoComment by Andreas

Actual facts from the actual place (gemba)

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Deming is know for droping a number of big truths when it comes to quality, leadership and lean. This is no exception, always get your facts straight.

“Without data, you’re just another person with an opinion.”

W. Edwards Deming

“You can’t manage what you can’t measure.”

W. Edwards Deming


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Aug 26 2019 2019-08-26 2019-08-25 NoComment by Andreas

Remember the basics

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From the energizer bunny of Lean, Mr. Paul Akers, this gem is reminding us about the absolute basics of Lean.

“Lean is learning to see waste. The moment you begin to see waste, everything else will take care of itself. Until you don’t see waste in everything. You don’t understand lean.”

Akers, Paul

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May 29 2019 2019-05-29 2019-08-25 NoComment by Andreas

The foundation of improvement

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To have a solid foundation for any improvement you need to establish standard work.

Standard work:

The foundation of continuous improvements is standardized work. Any process must be standardized to the best known way of working from where improvements can be made.


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May 28 2019 2019-05-28 2019-05-25 NoComment by Andreas

SMART

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Making relevant objectives when it comes to projects or any improvement initiatives can be very hard. A pnemonic acronym for this is SMART. When used gives clear objectives that are easily verifiable.

SMART:

An acronym giving critera for objectives. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. These give clear guidelines from which to measure success.


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May 27 2019 2019-05-27 2019-05-25 NoComment by Andreas

Different beginings

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To most it is obvious that Lean has it’s roots in a society and culture very different from our own. One sign of this is how Japaneese companies organize to cooperate.

Zaibatsu:

Used to be Japanese family-controlled business conglomerates organized with one bank part and one or several industrial parts. Litteraly “Wealth Group”. Later replaced by Keiretsu.

Keiretsu:

The Keiretsu replaced the Zaibatsu by the mid 2000th century. It is a system of interlocking business relationsships. The companies own small portions of the shares of each other centered around a core bank. The purpose of this is to create a stable marked and protect the companies from hostile action from outsiders.


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