Within Lean there tend to be strive to remove stock to the point problems start emerging. However, there is also sometimes necessary to have a buffer stock between processes and also sometimes a delivery buffer.
Buffer:
Used to even out variations in customer demand or unevenness within the production process. Within Lean we strive to have as low buffers as we can so they don’t become muda (waste).
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
The last definition of the three to the sources of waste is Muri.
Muri:
Overburden. When operators or machines for more than 100% to finish their task, they are overburdened. This is harmful both to machines and people and should be avoided.
The next definition to the sources of waste is Mura.
Mura:
Unevenness. Fluctuations in customer demand, process times per product or a variation of cycle times between different operators are examples of Mura.
Defining the sources of waste we start with the most recognised, Muda
Muda:
Waste. It could also mean uselessness or wastefulness. It can be defined as 7+1 wastes: Defects, Overproduction, Waiting, Transport, Inventory, Motion, Excess Processing and Wasted talent. Within Lean the elimination of Muda is a central concept.
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“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
“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.”
– Mark Twain
