What is Overall Equipment Effectiveness? Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is a manufacturing metric that was established by Seiichi Nakajima, the pioneer of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), in the 1980s. It is used to measure the productivity level of equipment and is made up of three factors. These three factors identify how efficient equipment is during […]

Introduction: The food packaging industry is vital in delivering safe and high-quality products to consumers. In a highly competitive market, efficiency and cost-effectiveness are critical to maintaining a strong market position. One of the key challenges food packaging companies face is extended changeover times between different Stock Keeping Units (SKUs), which can lead to reduced […]

The OKR (Objective Key Results) method has been gaining increased popularity in the last years as an objectives management approach. The framework can be used both for development goals, i.e., changing the status quo in the company, as well as for product goals. Unfortunately, the OKR method is very often applied with the “by the […]

Introduction The automotive industry has always been at the forefront of innovation, from designing cutting-edge vehicles to adopting advanced manufacturing processes. As the industry evolves, so does the need for comprehensive quality management systems that ensure safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Enter IATF 16949, the International Automotive Quality Standard, which sets the benchmark for quality […]

Introduction Project Cost Management is a critical component of successful project management. It encompasses the various processes necessary for planning, estimating, budgeting, financing, funding, managing, and controlling costs to ensure a project is completed within the approved budget. Effective cost management ensures that resources are used efficiently and helps make informed decisions throughout the project […]

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do”  The above quote given by Steve Jobs highlights the importance of being motivated at work. Besides, being motivated at work comes with lots of internal and external factors and the work environment is one of them. A positive work environment can help […]

I’m happy to announce that I’ve finished the manuscript for my upcoming book (a real one, not an April Fool’s Joke). The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation It’s taken about a year from saying, “I’m going to write a book based on the My Favorite Mistake podcast” to completing […]

Taiichi Ohno, the father of the Toyota Production System, once said, “Without Standard Work, there is no Kaizen.” That’s a pretty bold statement, but when you think about the continuous improvement cycle, it makes a lot of sense. How can you move from the current state to the desired state if the current state is […]

Unlock the secrets to effective time management and conquer the PMP exam with confidence Introduction The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is one of the most sought-after credentials in the project management field. Passing the PMP exam can boost your career prospects and demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement and process excellence. However, the exam […]

Today, I was happy to host a webinar that Katie Anderson presented as part of the KaiNexus continuous improvement webinar series. Access it here: How to Create a Continuous Improvement Culture by Closing the GAPS If you register using the link, you can access the recording immediately. The contest is now closed, but you can […]

Toyota is (among other things) famous for its team structure on the front line. They have a quite low ratio of team members to supervisors, and I believe that is part of their success. Whereas many Western companies overstuff their hierarchy, at Toyota supervisors actually have the time to help their people and to also […]

I was hoping that Tom’s announcement, via his email newsletter and his website, was an April Fool’s joke. But the announcement came out on March 31th and one of his team members confirmed Tom’s plans. Tom Peters: My Retirement As Seth Godin did, I’d like to share some of my memories and experiences with Tom. […]

Problem solving is a vital skill in the workplace. The ability to think logically and creatively empowers individuals to tackle challenges and seize opportunities in all levels of business. At its most effective, problem-solving allows employees to seamlessly engage in the psychological process of realizing, evaluating, and resolving daily challenges. At the core of business […]

By Pascal Dennis (bio) Big data is all the rage these days. Big consulting houses and IT touts assure us that the next big breakthrough is just around the corner. And all we need is self-appointed experts and super computers that crunch through all our ‘data’ and make sense of everything for us. Don’t’ want […]

As I’ve blogged about before in recent years (here and here), Major League Baseball (MLB) has, as Toyota people say, “big vague concern”: Games are too long and too slow! In recent years, they’ve tried a few countermeasures that have proved ineffective. Starting in 2017, an intentional walk no longer required four pitches to be […]

Introduction: Are you a project manager, a team member, or simply someone who wants to understand the essentials of project management? This blog post will provide a comprehensive understanding of projects, their objectives, deliverables, and the significance of their temporary nature. Understanding these key concepts will help you succeed in your professional endeavours and contribute […]

Today, I am pleased to announce the logical (if not inevitable) follow-up to my wildly-popular #1 international best-selling book from 2019, Datum-Driven Lean: Harnessing the Power of the Data Point. It’s been fun exploring the concept from the book in my podcast, “What’s the Point?” It’s available exclusively in the Microsoft Zune Podcast App. In […]

Introduction Time management is an essential skill that can help you achieve more in less time, reduce stress, and improve your overall quality of life. In this article, we’ll explore 12 proven strategies for effective time management to help you control your day and accomplish your goals. Choose the Right Time Identify your most productive […]

We’ve got some exciting news to share with you today! KaiNexus is thrilled to announce our newest promotion, available only for TODAY: purchase KaiNexus and get a free puppy!

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, […]