Archive for Plan
Implementing Lean – As fast as a Pit Crew?
Posted by: | CommentsAt the recent AME Conference, Performance Instruction and Training offered sessions that allowed you to experience their unique style of learning. The concepts PIP teaches motorsports pit crews to conduct sub 13-second pit-stops relate to your business and drive home the concepts of lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement. You were able to join the session and try your luck. This video depicts this pit crews first attempt. They received training between each session, and at the end they were rewarded with a sub 18-second performance.
I was first impressed by the concept of a pit crew’s performance by Jim Lewis, the author of the Story of a Lean Journey. He used this analogy several times discussing quick changeover, value stream mapping and 5S. The basic point of the exercise was that at best, we would take a minimum of 20 minutes to change a tire at home. A NASCAR team and as you saw in the video something less than a NASCAR team could do it in less than 20 seconds. Proper training, the right resources, tools and a willingness to improve is what it will take to achieve some remarkable differences within your organization.
Jim’s book was a fictitious story of Allison Manufacturing Services Lean Journey as seen through the eyes of their Lean consultant. Jim did an excellent job of depicting the cultural change that took place within the company and how it was accomplished. It was such a pleasant read, that I completed it in one night that was extended into some early morning hours. The next day, I continued reviewing the book to understand the charts and mapping process he used in the book. If you are considering a Lean Journey, this book may be an excellent starting point. After reading this, consider if your company is working at the 20 minute level(you are out of business if you are), or if you are taking 35 seconds? Can you get it down to 18 or 16 or maybe, 13 seconds?
Draw your Value Stream Map in Excel
Posted by: | CommentsPeople buy all these different products to do simple drawings for Value Stream Mapping using basic symbols. When they are done, they pull out the Microsoft Excel sheet and do the calculations. Sometimes they are even forced to do create their own formulas. I became familiar with Systems2win and their Value Stream Mapping tool does both, drawings and the calculations. I know that the right tool for the calculations was Excel but drawing with it?
Skeptical,think again. This is the first drawing on Youtube done with Microsoft Excel exclusively. The real amount of time it took was 12 hours and 56 minutes Special thanks to Valentina (Gracias por la paciencia T_T) and Patolín (Saludos a la distancia compadre =D)
Now, all theSystems2win Value Stream Mapping Tool ask you to do is to draw this:
Don’t be embarrassed if you can’t, but why did I ever buy Visio? By the way, some of the best collection of Excel Training videos are bundled on the System2win site along with Kaizen, Lean and Six Sigma tools.
Disclaimer: After I purchased the package, I became an Affiliate.
Map your Value Stream backwards
Posted by: | CommentsIn the book, Learning to See by Mike Rother and John Shook, they recommend a mapping tip of beginning the Value Stream Mapping process by walking downstream from the customer end. This way, they say you will begin with the processes that are linked most directly to the customer. As I was reading, actually re-reading the book, I thought how simple and intelligent that statement was. Starting at the end of the process should be the logical thing to do if you are considering developing a pull system. It is the beginning. This is very similar to my thoughts I expressed in my Mirror Marketing E-book.
In a marketing perspective, how often do we really consider what our customer is real needs are. I find it interesting in a recent study by Rain Today they cited that the number one reason that most professional service sales are lost is CLARITY! I think it might also be said for many product opportunities. It might not be directly, but if your product or offer was fully understood before the purchase decision was made, would that improve your closing rate?
So do things become clearer walking backwards? Try this old golf trick, walk your favorite golf course backwards. Does the out of bounds, elevations and other danger seem entirely different? Why not put yourself in customer shoes? In Six Sigma perspective, we call this process Voice of Customer but do we really consider the metrics of delivery performance, number of defects, invoice accuracy and other views that the customer is experiencing.
If you have a customer that will take the time with you, try having him draw a process map of your product. Or just blue sky the different experiences that he has with your organization. How accurate are they? After that, have them draw a future state. What would they like to see from your organization? Are you willing to deliver that experience?