Kaizen in the Laundry Room...and My Domestic Shortcomings
Kaizen opportunities are often best identified (and done) by those who do the work.
Gemba Tales Blog
The name "Gemba Tales" is borrowed from Mark Hamel's two Shingo Prize-winning books, Kaizen Event Fieldbook and Lean Math within which there are dozens of tales. Each tale is based upon the experienced (some successful, some not) of the author and other lean practitioners and shared for the purpose of providing insight into the application of certain lean concepts. The purpose of this blog is really no different, just a bigger community for sharing and learning.
Working Smarter, or Just Harder? Thoughts on Standard Work.
Today's Wall Street Journal front page contained an article entitled, "Moment of Truth for Productivity Boom." The article refl
Kaizen Principle: Bias for Action
Several days ago, during a health care value stream analysis, I was impressed with the team's bias for action.
Standard Work Is a Verb
Standard work is not a once and done proposition. That would be lean anathema.
Mark Hamel Interviewed by Business901's Joe Dager
Joe Dager, an expert in lean marketing and founder of the Business901 blog
Humility, or What Does Dirt Have to Do with Lean?
The word humility is derived from the Latin word for ground, humus. The notion of ground, earth or dirt makes sense in that humility is a virtue that keeps a person from reaching beyond himself or herself.
Model Lines - Federal Government Take Note
Model lines (a.k.a. pilot) are a proven method to initiate a lean launch.
CSI Kaizen - When Forensics Supplement Direct Observation
Taiichi Ohno preferred facts over data, meaning, among other things, that direct observation trumps second hand stuff. How else can you truly grasp the current situation and identify the waste?
Why Bowling Charts? Trajectory Matters!
Strange name, "bowling chart," but it's a simple and powerful tool. It forces critical thinking around breakthrough objectives and facilitates typically monthly checkpoints that help drive accountability, PDCA and ultimately execution.
Gemba Tales' 90 Day Reflection
Gemba Tales is now three months old (my first "real" post was made on December 28, 2009). So, I thought it appropriate to engage in a little reflection or hansei. But not too much, mind you.
