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Click here for Kaizen Download (zip file contains pdf file 153kb)
Kaizen is a technique used for many purposes. It is a set of steps that are used to systematically improve any operation whether it is Manufacturing or Commerce.
Kaizen Events are correctly used to refine a process but equally they can be used to drive through process improvements at any point on the path of continuous improvement.
The download document is approximatly 20 pages explaining the key points in order to run a Kaizen Activity as a framework.
The framework is based closely on the PDCA cycle of Continuous Improvement that is attributed to the work of Dr. W. Edwards Deming.
Click here for Kanban download (zip file contains pdf file 74kb)
Kanban appears to be one of the secrets of a Lean operation. It must however be run in conjunction with the other tools of lean as the process cannot be 'cherry-picked' and work effectively. There are a few rules that need to be in place before kanban can operate effectively and consistently.
This document does not explain all the rules or detailed calculations for numbers of kanban required, but it does give an introduction to this self regulating re-order system.
There are four types of kanban - Signal Kanban, In-Process kanban, Interprocess kanban and Supplier Kanban.
This is a graphical overview of each of the types of kanban.
Click here for Metrics download ( a zip archive containing a pdf file 130kb)
Measures are collections and displays of operating performance.
Just as an athlete records time or distance, we need to do the same in our businesses. Sometimes we need to record time and distance also.
There are many different measure that we can use but remember, we humans will usually work to whatever we are being measured upon so it is important that we set the correct measures at each level in our businesses.
The Chief Executive’s measures will be profit orientated whereas the shop floor operator’s measure may be distance or size related.
Although the measures we use are related to a particular point in time it is important that we set a relationship with previous points in time in order that we might be able to see ‘trends’ in the data.
A single piece of data on its own is generally of little use. Comparing this data to other collected data for the same measure enables us to see if we are improving or not.
Some measures require that the trend is increasing whilst others require that it decreases for there to be a relative improvement in performance.
‘Productivity’ requires that the trend increases but ‘Defects’ requires that the trend decreases.
The documents are downloaded as winzip files and are in Adobe PDF 4.0 format. You will need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader to be able to view the files. You can get a free download from Adobe.com.
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