Lean
Lean is a systematic approach to the identification and elimination of waste, or non-value activities, through continuous improvement and transformation change. Lean focuses on waste identification and elimination, following 5 steps:
- Identify value by service/product
- Identify the value stream
- Make the service/product flow
- At the pull of the customer
- In pursuit of perfection
Lean is comprised of a set of strategies and techniques that include: Facility & Office Layout, Lead Time Reduction (Value Stream Mapping), Standardized Work, Reduction of Variation (Six-Sigma), Error Proofing (Poka Yoke), Level Scheduling, Workplace Organization & Visual Controls (5S), Employee Process Control, Planned Maintenance, Process Capability, Supplier Development, Quick Setup (SMED), Containerization, Pull System & Kanban, Transportation, Small Lots, and more.
A value stream is the set of all actions (both value added and non-value added) in place to bring a specific service/product from start to finish. Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is following a service/product from beginning to end, and drawing a visual representation of every process, material and information flow, and operator cycles. Then drawing a 'future state' map of how value should flow. Value Stream Mapping is a very powerful technique used in the service industry to achieve continuous process improvement.
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