Lean Six Sigma Bursts

In this episode, I share some audio about DMAIC from a recent class I taught, and I thought you'd find it helpful. I express the importance of ignoring improvement ideas in a DMAIC project until after you go through Define, Measure and Analyze first. You will get pressure to jump to Improve before you're ready, so resist that urge and trust the process. Links What is DMAIC? Need help in your organization? ⁠⁠⁠Let's talk! Schedule a free support call⁠⁠ Podcast Sponsor: Creative Safety Supply is a great resource for free guides, infographics, and continuous improvement tools. I recommend starting with their 5S guide. It includes breakdowns of the five pillars, ways to begin implementing 5S, and even organization tips and color charts. From red tags to floor marking; it’s all there. Download it for free at ⁠⁠creativesafetysupply.com/5S⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠BIZ-PI.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com⁠⁠⁠ Have a question? ⁠⁠⁠Submit a voice message at Podcasters.Spotify.com

In this episode, I discuss an improvement I made at home, that saved time in my personal life, and why small improvements are worth pursuing and not overlooking. I also discuss how small sample sizes are not a barrier to running statistical tests of significance or hypothesis tests. Links 2 Second Lean with Paul Akers Need help in your organization? ⁠⁠Let's talk! Schedule a free support call⁠ Podcast Sponsor: Creative Safety Supply is a great resource for free guides, infographics, and continuous improvement tools. I recommend starting with their 5S guide. It includes breakdowns of the five pillars, ways to begin implementing 5S, and even organization tips and color charts. From red tags to floor marking; it’s all there. Download it for free at ⁠creativesafetysupply.com/5S⁠ ⁠⁠BIZ-PI.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com⁠⁠ Have a question? ⁠⁠Submit a voice message at Podcasters.Spotify.com

In this episode, I discuss the importance of the Control phase in a Six Sigma DMAIC Improvement project, including the key considerations to make before closing out your improvement activity. Create a system and/or process to monitor the results Update any documentation of the processes and procedures Update any training of the processes Create a response or mitigation plan in case there is a drop in performance Add any visual controls or job aids that can be posted in the work area Review incentives to encourage new improvements to be used or followed Identify contact names and resources if employee has questions about the new improvements Schedule process audits or reviews for the next 30, 60 and 90 days Ensure improvements have been labeled, have a clear storage space, and have someone assigned to reorder them or perform maintenance on them (if applicable)? Ensure clear ownership of the improvements have taken place by the process owners Links ⁠What is DMAIC? Need help in your organization? ⁠Let's talk! Schedule a free support call Podcast Sponsor: Creative Safety Supply is a great resource for free guides, infographics, and continuous improvement tools. I recommend starting with their 5S guide. It includes breakdowns of the five pillars, ways to begin implementing 5S, and even organization tips and color charts. From red tags to floor marking; it’s all there. Download it for free at creativesafetysupply.com/5S ⁠BIZ-PI.com⁠ ⁠LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com⁠ Have a question? ⁠Submit a voice message at Podcasters.Spotify.com

In this episode, I share the audio from a panel discussion I was asked to participate on Wednesday this week. The discussion was focused on Lean Manufacturing, but we also discussed Six Sigma quite a bit. The event was hosted by the Texas Chapter of the Women in Manufacturing Association. They are the only national and global trade association dedicated to providing year-round support to women who have chosen a career in the manufacturing industry I'm sharing only the segments when I talked, but I encourage you to listen or watch the entire hour-long discussion. The other panelists were Crystal Davis, Dave Crysler, RaeJean Griffin, Sneha Kumari, and Troy Weier. I have a link to the association and the recording is in the links section below. Links Women in Manufacturing - Texas Chapter Women in Manufacturing Panel Discussion Video Need help in your organization? Let's talk! Schedule a free support call BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

In this episode, I provide some tips on how to close out a project or improvement effort, when the primary metric may longer than a year before you might be able to see tangible results. I also discuss other things you can do to prove in the short term that your improvements will be effective in the long run. Links Need help in your organization? Let's talk! Schedule a free support call BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

In this episode, I discuss a project I'm really excited about, the 2nd book release in the Lean Six Sigma for Good book series. This is the 2nd collection of real-life experiences and stories from Lean and Six Sigma practitioners who have spent time at the "gemba" with not-for-profit organizations. They have generously offered to write a chapter about lessons learned and tools they have applied. There are 8 chapters in total. Joe Wojniak and Lynn McCullough: Improving Thrift Shop Donations (interview with authors) - Proceeds donated to TRU Community Care Tim Turner: Helping Others By Following The Toyota Way (podcast interview with Tim) - Proceeds donated to Center for Quality People and Organizations (CQPO) Douglas Cooper: Lessons from Liberia – Standard Work as the Foundation for Lean Practices - Proceeds donated to Mercy Corps Anita Havemann: Reducing Time and Complexity in Nonprofit Accounting - Proceeds donated to Relay Resources Steve Bell: Simple Framework for Complex Problems - Proceeds donated to Lean4NGO.org lisabeth Swan: Leaning into the Mission of Childcare (podcast interview with Elisabeth) - Proceeds donated to Cape Cod Children’s Place Tracy O’Rourke: Increasing Meals Per Hour with Kitchens for Good (podcast interview with Tracy) - Proceeds donated to Kitchens for Good Joy E. Mason: Using Six Sigma to Address Racial Equity (podcast interview with Joy) - Proceeds donated to The Six Sigma Racial Equity Institute I think this is a great book to share with potential volunteers, or nonprofits or public service agencies wanting to learn more about how Lean or Six Sigma can be applied to their organizations. Links Learn more about Lean Six Sigma for Good: Lessons from the Gemba (Volume 2) Check out Lean Six Sigma for Good: Lessons from the Gemba (Volume 1) from back in 2019 Need help in your organization? Let's talk! Schedule a free support call BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

In this episode, I discuss two acronyms to help you remember ideas on how you can improve a process. ECRS stands for Eliminate, Combine, Rearrange, and Simplify. SPACER stands for Standardize, Parallel processing, Automate, Consolidate, Eliminate and Re-arrange. I also mention SCAMPER, which is similar to these, and stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Purpose, Eliminate and Reverse. Links ECRS SPACER/SCAMPER Learn more about the Lean Six Sigma Virtual Coaching and Certification Program Need help in your organization? Let's talk! Schedule a free support call BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

In this episode, I discuss Action Priority (AP), a newer method for determining which risks from an FMEA should be addressed. Traditionally, the multiplication of Severity, Occurrence and Detection was used to calculate a Risk Priority Number (RPN). Any number over a certain RPN threshold required action to reduce the risk.  Action Priority gives three possible outcome for each risk identified: Low, Medium and High, which can make it easier to decide which RPN scores are more important than others. I also discuss the troubles I've had using a RPN threshold with FMEA teams, as they tend to score just below the threshold intentionally. Links Action Priority Lookup Tables (Excel) FMEA Tables with Scoring Matrices (Excel) Learn more about the Lean Six Sigma Virtual Coaching and Certification Program Need help in your organization? Let's talk! Schedule a free support call BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

In this episode, I explain a new virtual coaching program I'm launching in January of 2023.  If you or your team would be interested in completing some online Lean or Six Sigma training, completing a kaizen event or a Six Sigma project, and obtaining a certification, I have three approaches that might work for you at different price points: Do It With Me (Coaching) – We work closely with you to keep you on track with the training, and we help you with your Six Sigma project or Lean event over a 4-month period. Best combination of self-learning and mentoring. Do It Yourself (DIY) – You complete the training and project/event primarily by yourself, with a few hours of our support. Lowest cost option but requires self-discipline. Do It For Me (Consulting) – We take the lead on your Six Sigma project or Lean event, and coach/mentor you as needed, with focus on getting tangible results as quickly as possible. Most expensive but effective option. Links Learn more about the Lean Six Sigma Virtual Coaching and Certification Program Need help in your organization? Let's talk! Schedule a free support call BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

In this episode, I explain what a "single-stall production system" means, and why it is superior to the traditional single piece flow assembly line. Single-stall is a method of work where one highly skilled worker is trained to perform all steps of the process by themselves (often in one stall to reduce floor space), instead of handing off the work to multiple workers in an assembly line. It can take months or years to develop their skills so they can perform each step at high quality, but it can be the most efficient way to complete a process from beginning to completion. I share a link to an article I wrote below, and in the episode I explain the videos in the article that better explain the difference between single-stalls and assembly lines. Links Single-stall Production Systems Need help in your organization? Let's talk! Schedule a free support call BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm