Beckhard’s Change Formula
Richard Beckhard’s formula for change proposes that the force of the dissatisfaction with the status quo combined with the forces of a […]
Category: Lean
Andon Definition
Japanese term for a “Lamp” or signal. In ancient Japan paper lanterns were used as flashlights or a signaling devices. In […]
Simplified Systematic Layout Planning
The process of arranging a work space for a factory or office is often done informally. The people working in the area […]
5S Definition
A 5 level standard for organizing the workplace. The 5 stages (from most disorganized to most organized) are: 1S = “Seiri” = […]
Cell Layout by Committee
One of my roles as sensei is to observe and critique. On Thursday I made close observation of a manufacturing cell layout […]
Kanban Calculation
“That’s not the formula I use” was the start of the debate. So looking at a few reference books and searching the […]
Little’s Law Redux
Recently I had the opportunity to sit in on a desk top simulation of a manufacturing cell design. The process is called […]
Tinker Air Force Base
Continuous process improvement is alive and well at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at Tinker Air Force Base. For proof, look […]
Kaizen isn’t an event
"Kaizen, or continuous improvement, isn’t something you do once. It’s a way of life." I said. The VP gave me a funny […]
Curse of the Shingo Prize?
Over at LeanBlog, Mark Graban writes about the latest batch of Shingo award recipients in his posts 2006 Shingo Prize Winners, Shingo […]
Driving the Bus
A colleague of mine, Charlie Hagan, had a unique scale for assessing professional experience and competence. He would describe someone as either […]
Tale of Two Business Systems
by James Womack In the fall of 1990, Dan Jones, Dan Roos, and I co-authored The Machine That Changed the World, our […]