Introduction Resilience at work is a vital skill to ensure successful strategy execution. In an ever-changing business landscape, resilience enables individuals and teams to adapt, overcome obstacles, and stay motivated despite adversity. With the proper training and resources, organizations can develop resilience in their workforce, leading to improved performance and the successful execution of critical […]

There are many common causes of equipment failure as it is a regular phenomenon in the manufacturing industry. But, equipment failure are two words maintenance managers and leaders dread to hear. This is because it can result in manufacturing downtime, higher repair costs, health and safety implications for employees, and affect production and the delivery […]

Location: Signature Consultants (DISYS) 200 South College Street  – Suite 1400 (on the 14th Floor) Between 3rd St and 4th. Note: Building used to be called “the BB&T Building” — signage now says “200 South College Street”. IF YOU GET LOST: Call 704-651-6852  (Stephanie at Signature Consultants)   Free Food and Free Parking.  Bring your […]

It’s been 110 years since Frank Gilbreth first used film cameras to improve processes, 36 years since Kei Abe taught me how to do it with VHS, and six years since my last post about videos. Yet the number of manufacturing companies leveraging this tool remains minuscule. The technical hurdles are long gone, but the […]

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on […]

Below is a link for the new version of the Scrum Cards (not planning poker cards) from Ivar Jacobsen. I recommend you download them. scrum_cards Really good stuff.  Fun to play with. I believe Jeff Sutherland has a lot to do with the creation of these cards, the wording, etc. Some of you may have […]

WEB SERIES – Today, we launch a new documentary series on lean around the world, with the first season focusing on lean in Brazil. In the first episode, we visit the lean clinic on a mission to reduce the burden on cancer in our lives.  Scripted, edited and narrated by: Roberto Priolo Join us on […]

In this edition: Adaptive Organisation (I) and (II); Three days in sunny June (date change); The questions that drive us (Webinar/AMA); Top posts; Events, self-paced training, and media Adaptive Organisation (I) and (II) Three related news items: Adaptive Organisation (I) part I of Adaptive Organisation: Business agility at every scale has been out a few […]

Ivar Jacobsen has put together cards that explain quickly many of the different agile “methods” or “tools.” (I would call User Stories a tool.)  Very useful. Here is a card set for User Stories: user_story_essentials_cards Here is a card set for “agile essential practices”: agile_essentials_practice_cards Enjoy! Use these with some of the Agile Games described […]

This post examines the role of Business Process Management (BPM) as an agile business model in a rapidly changing global economy. We discuss how BPM enhances productivity, speed to market, global market reach, compliance, and innovation. By implementing BPM principles, organizations can streamline their operations, respond quickly to market changes, and create an environment where […]

In almost all businesses, management relies heavily on measurement. Whether they’re a marketing manager trying to improve conversions or a business development manager trying to increase revenue, managers need metrics to understand how they’re doing. Optimizing conversion rate is a common objective for many businesses, and incorporating it into your OKR cycle can help improve […]

Next week, I’m excited to host a webinar that Katie Anderson will present as part of the KaiNexus continuous improvement webinar series. How to Create a Continuous Improvement Culture by Closing the GAPS If you can’t attend live, please register anyway and we will send you a link to the recording. You can also enter […]

Introduction In the competitive manufacturing world, efficiency and innovation are crucial for success. Streamlining product and process development can lead to significant cost savings, reduced time-to-market, and improved product quality. One way to achieve this is by identifying and eliminating various types of waste that can hamper productivity. This article will discuss 12 wastes in […]

A selection of highlighted blog posts from Lean bloggers from the month of March 2023.  You can also view the previous monthly Lean Roundups here.   Author Interview with Jim Benson– Katie Anderson talks with Jim Benson regarding his latest book, The Collaboration Equation: Strong Professionals Strong Teams Strong Delivery.   Too Often, Power Means the Power […]

Scroll down for how to subscribe, transcript, and more Joining us for Episode #472 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Mit Vyas, managing director for Gemba Automation. He started his career at Toyota and worked for other large corporations. He founded Gemba Automation, a company that has helped customers in software, medical devices, fashion, […]

Introduction Maintaining operational efficiency and delivering top-quality products are essential in the highly competitive pharmaceutical industry. One crucial factor that significantly contributes to these goals is equipment reliability. Ensuring that machinery and equipment consistently function at peak performance can improve product quality, efficiency, and overall operational excellence. In this article, we will explore the benefits […]

Introduction: An email has become an essential tool for communication in today’s fast-paced work environment. To stand out and create a positive impression, it’s crucial to master the art of writing concise, professional, and practical emails. Here, we’ll explore tips and strategies to help you email like a boss and maximize productivity. Image Source: Investing […]

Effective leadership in healthcare organizations requires open lines of communication between caregivers working directly with patients and hospital administrators who seek to protect the interests of all stakeholders. In addition, operationally excellent healthcare organizations engage in nimble, data-driven decision-making and foster a culture of respect and value.

FEATURE – In this in-depth, insightful analysis, the authors explore the essence of bureaucracy and explain why, with Lean Thinking, it can be leveraged as a force for good. Words: Michael Ballé and Klaus Beulker How can the fish be aware of the water in the fishbowl? How can we be aware of the bureaucracy […]

In my last two posts I talked about the qualification matrix, where you match the skills of your people to the skills needed for your business. This can be expanded with another axis, as for example the skills needed for certain products. This connects your people to your products through skills. It is also more […]

Managing project costs is a critical part of project management. As a project manager, you must ensure you can deliver the project within the allocated budget. This article will look at the overall process for managing a project’s cost. The Cost of the Project Before estimating the project cost, we need to develop the project […]

Navigating the business landscape can be a daunting task. With countless factors to consider and seemingly endless competition, staying ahead of the game is crucial. This is where a solid business strategy comes in. Today, we will delve into a practical approach known as the 8-Step Strategy Map. This framework will help you understand your […]

For my Facebook fans you already know about this great feature. But for those of you that are not connected to A Lean Journey on Facebook or Twitter I post daily a feature I call Lean Tips.  It is meant to be advice, things I learned from experience, and some knowledge tidbits about Lean to […]

In today’s ever-changing business landscape, transformational leadership has emerged as an integral approach to inspiring and motivating teams. Here, we explore the five key pillars that define this leadership style, helping organizations thrive in the face of change. Vision: A transformational leader clearly understands the organization’s current direction and has a well-defined idea for where […]

Leadership is a skill that requires a blend of various qualities like decision-making, confidence, and assertiveness. But, not all successful leaders have the ability to work collaboratively. Often, these leaders may struggle to adapt to positions where their commanding decision-making style isn’t as effective. Leaders used to make decisions without much input from others may […]

Thanks as always to Ryan McCormack for this… there’s always so much good reading, listening, and viewing shared here by him! Subscribe to get these directly from Ryan via email. Insights about improvement, innovation, and leadership… Operational Excellence, Improvement, and Innovation Lean taking root at General Electric GE Marketing proves again that Lean principles and […]

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on […]

FEATURE – Mental schemas help us to process information, but they often lead us to blindly jump to solutions without understanding the problem. Here, the author explains how Lean Thinking mitigates that risk. Words: Tshepo Thobejane Psychologists tell us that our brains use shortcuts and frameworks, called schemas, to make it easier to organise our […]

In today’s blog we’ll be discussing the principles of total quality management (TQM), but first, let’s go over what total quality management is and the benefits of implementing this approach. What is Total Quality Management (TQM)? Total quality management is a management approach that encourages organizations to continually analyze its production processes to reduce or […]

How can organizations create cultures of continuous improvement? How can we overcome the reasons many lean and agile transformations fail? How can individuals come together in alignment to create value for customers? The answer: collaboration! In his latest book, The Collaboration Equation: Strong Professionals Strong Teams Strong Delivery Jim Benson highlights the solution to the […]

Improving quality is about more than just finding and fixing problems. You need to architect an effective system to help you contain, control, and improve quality. I call this framework the 4 loops of quality, and we’ve used it for a long time for the assessment, design, and improvement of a quality system, both within […]

Introduction Effective goal-setting is a critical component of business success. To ensure that goals are achievable and impactful, organizations can turn to the SMART criteria: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By adhering to these principles, businesses can increase their chances of meeting objectives and propelling growth. This article will explore the SMART criteria and […]

Being an effective manager is not just about achieving goals and meeting targets. It is about leading your team toward success by empowering them to be their best selves and inspiring them to grow and develop professionally. To achieve this, it is important to master three key skills: giving your people a voice, leading with […]

Positive work environments bring out the best in employees. They not only help them work safely and effectively, but they also promote mental wellness. But toxic workplaces are certainly like cancer. They deplete work energy, cause division, and hinder organizational progress. Unfortunately, many modern workplaces are like that. They are filled with nepotism, and unsupportive […]