Insignificant DigitsAre you stepping over a dollar to save a dime?
Tue, 07/12/2011 - 16:03
Significant digits, the number of digits to the right of a decimal point that are warranted by the accuracy of the means of measurement, are a critical part of scientific investigation. In developing products and services, the concept is essential.… GuillotineIn the name of short-sighted efficiency, businesses separate the head from the body and ship the body to China
Wed, 06/29/2011 - 06:00
One of the more dubious outcomes of the French Revolution was the standardization of guillotining as the sole (and oft-employed) manner of capital punishment. Prior to the revolution, only the nobility was entitled to such a humane demise.… A Supervisor’s Greatest DiscoveryOn leading by listening
Wed, 06/08/2011 - 06:00
The following is a true story that occurred during a nine-month period.Paul had been with a machine shop for 32 years. At the time he held the position of a shift supervisor, and keeping the work schedules was his job. His manager, Bob, related… Unsung Hospital HeroesClinicians and administrators dissatisfied with the status quo take a personal risk to heal their health care systems
Thu, 05/19/2011 - 09:13
About six years ago I was meeting with a clinical team to kick off an early improvement effort at their hospital. We began with a reflection on the problems with traditional business management practices. To break the ice, I played a short clip… Practice Makes PermanentUnproductive daily habits can counteract the benefits of <em>kaizen</em> events
Wed, 05/04/2011 - 11:18
In my last blog post, “Everybody Everyday” I made the case for regular practice of new perspectives, behaviors, and practices. All new learners begin by just “going through the motions” and gradually become proficient through regular practice. I’… Out of Sight, Out of Our MindsProduct and services <em>can</em> be made lean in America.
Thu, 04/14/2011 - 05:30
Gary was a talented, creative welder with an idea that made perfect sense to him but was not supported by conventional measures. Gary was determined to implement his idea and pressed for a closer evaluation by his supervisor when the idea was not… Rowers, Passengers, and SwimmersYou’ll find three groups of respondents for most concepts
Wed, 03/23/2011 - 06:00
I was asked about 15 years ago to give a short presentation about poka-yoke to an association of engineering professors from different U.S. universities. I brought with me several devices that employees from my plant had developed,… Rowers, Passengers, and SwimmersYou’ll find three groups of respondents for most concepts
Wed, 03/23/2011 - 06:00
I was asked about 15 years ago to give a short presentation about poka-yoke to an association of engineering professors from different U.S. universities. I brought with me several devices that employees from my plant had developed,… Optimize ThisThe assumptions we make about constraints can kill us
Mon, 03/07/2011 - 05:00
Sometimes things that seem factual are not exactly true. Here are a few examples relating to inventory:
• When I was a materials manager, the auditors would declare that we had taken a “good inventory” at year-end when the amount of positive… Efficient in Theory, Not PracticePDCA for managers could prevent crazy metrics
Thu, 01/06/2011 - 04:30
A colleague, friend, and lean leader in health care related a story awhile back that I think is worth sharing. Joanne Marqusee, COO at Hallmark Healthcare System, was standing in line at a grocery store checkout. While she waited, Joanne recalls,…
