Core
Disciplines
Most
waste is invisible. Nor is elimination easy. A set of
techniques that identify and eliminate waste has evolved: "Lean
Manufacturing."
►Cellular
Manufacturing
►Pull
Scheduling (Kanban)
►Six
Sigma/Total Quality Management
►Rapid
Setup
►Team
Development
These
are core disciplines. Not every organization requires them all.
Others require supplementary disciplines. Determining which
disciplines are most important and/or urgent is the subject of our Lean
Implementation series. You may also find our series on Leadership
useful.
Tools
Value
Stream Mapping and Process
Mapping are two valuable tools that can help eliminate waste and
streamline work. Group Technology can sort out workflow in complex
product mixes. Other analysis tools are also available.
 Inventory
Besides
core disciplines and tools, there is an overall
theme of inventory reduction. Inventory hides waste.
Almost every imperfection or problem creates a need for
inventory. Hence, inventory is a
result and measures the imperfection of the system.
 People
& Technology
Factories
include people. To function well, people and technology
must integrate in a system exploiting the strengths and
minimizing the limitations of each component. Every core discipline
has a psychological component. Eric
Trist called this a Socio-Technical
System.
|
The
Systems Perspective
 The
core disciplines are interdependent. Each acts upon and improves the
others in a continuous "Virtuous Circle". Over
time, this reinforcement builds momentum like a snowball
rolling downhill. Results for the system are greater than
the separate effects. For more, see "Manufacturing
As A System."
Science
Vs. Slogans
Strategos
prefers a scientific and engineering perspective rather than
slogans, edicts, imitation and proselytizing. Science
necessarily includes the human disciplines since all
factories are Socio-Technical Systems.
This
allows us to carry principles into new and different industries
where there are no examples to copy. See our page on Factory
Science.
"...the
tools and artifacts were developed to deal with very particular
problems that were affecting people in very particular
circumstances. Working under different circumstances presents
different problems, which requires different tools and different
thinking." So says Steven Spear of Harvard who wrote "Decoding
The DNA of the Toyota Production System."
Using
This Site
You
will find useful information and tools here. The "Resources"
section has various Lean Manufacturing articles, information and
perspectives. For example, the "Assessment"
helps determine your current position.
The
"Seminars" section details
training programs and Kaizen Events. It can assist you in
grasping the body of required knowledge. You might also want to
visit the page on "Developing
Your Training Plan. The "Site
Guide" lists types of resources. "About
Strategos" outlines our approach and tells you about the
Strategos team.
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