Comments on: Dell Hires Lean Guy From Selectron http://www.leanblog.org/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/ Mark Graban's leanblog.org - Lean Healthcare, Lean Thinking, Lean Manufacturing, Toyota Production System Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:59:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rich http://www.leanblog.org/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1715 Rich Fri, 23 Feb 2007 14:37:00 +0000 http://leanblog.bigbigdesign.net/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1715 "Anonymous Solectron Guy"<br/><br/>I worked for three years in the electronics assembly industry bofore moving changing to a completely different industry, and also found the "hype" didn't often jive with reality. "Lean productivity" was often driven simply by buying faster chip shooters (and they just keep getting faster!). I also remember inventory being stacked everywhere, padding slow automated inspection equipment and other monuments resulting from poor line balance and quality issues. Is this what you are experiencing, or is it more complex than that? “Anonymous Solectron Guy”

I worked for three years in the electronics assembly industry bofore moving changing to a completely different industry, and also found the “hype” didn’t often jive with reality. “Lean productivity” was often driven simply by buying faster chip shooters (and they just keep getting faster!). I also remember inventory being stacked everywhere, padding slow automated inspection equipment and other monuments resulting from poor line balance and quality issues. Is this what you are experiencing, or is it more complex than that?

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.leanblog.org/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1710 Anonymous Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:39:00 +0000 http://leanblog.bigbigdesign.net/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1710 Lean is all about thinking - tools are merely an outcome, they are like standard work documents for achieving results.<br/><br/>-anon solectron guy (again) Lean is all about thinking – tools are merely an outcome, they are like standard work documents for achieving results.

-anon solectron guy (again)

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Joe http://www.leanblog.org/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1692 Joe Sat, 17 Feb 2007 14:54:00 +0000 http://leanblog.bigbigdesign.net/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1692 In the middle of this debate, there is also the simple fact of "is Lean about tools or about thinking?" <br/><br/>If about tools, then JIT and colocating plants might be Lean. <br/><br/>If it is about thinking value and letting that drive actions, it takes a deeper look. In the middle of this debate, there is also the simple fact of “is Lean about tools or about thinking?”

If about tools, then JIT and colocating plants might be Lean.

If it is about thinking value and letting that drive actions, it takes a deeper look.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Mark Graban http://www.leanblog.org/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1688 Mark Graban Fri, 16 Feb 2007 11:43:00 +0000 http://leanblog.bigbigdesign.net/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1688 Robert, I don't understand "lean" vs. "agile." It's frustrating that, in the lean world, we have to constantly ask "how do you define that?" We have too many definitions of lean.<br/><br/>By "lean," I consider that to be 1) eliminating waste and 2) respect for people. To me, lean IS agile. How can you say Dell shouldn't be reducing waste or driving continuous improvement? Robert, I don’t understand “lean” vs. “agile.” It’s frustrating that, in the lean world, we have to constantly ask “how do you define that?” We have too many definitions of lean.

By “lean,” I consider that to be 1) eliminating waste and 2) respect for people. To me, lean IS agile. How can you say Dell shouldn’t be reducing waste or driving continuous improvement?

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.leanblog.org/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1687 Anonymous Fri, 16 Feb 2007 08:38:00 +0000 http://leanblog.bigbigdesign.net/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1687 Rob, i'd have to disagree. In what frame of reference do you require "Agile"?<br/><br/>If you take a "lean" mentality then building units in lots of 1 is the glorious ideal (to brutally paraphrase)<br/><br/>How therefore does 'agility' affect this? The rapid change in technology is not that rapid when it comes to DELL. A computer has a very limited number of variable components which of course have a wide range of types but they are each of a very similar form factor. A lean material supply chain would be paramount here to ensure that you do not have large stocks of any product which may become obsolete. That's about the only place i could consider 'agility' to be required.<br/><br/>In general i consider it false to talk about "lean markets". That would be you purely applying 'lean' to your manufacturing process, but there are so many other areas of work that you can improve - ie the material supply chain again.<br/><br/>Sorry if it rambles, writing this in a very small window.<br/><br/>-anon solectron engineer. Rob, i’d have to disagree. In what frame of reference do you require “Agile”?

If you take a “lean” mentality then building units in lots of 1 is the glorious ideal (to brutally paraphrase)

How therefore does ‘agility’ affect this? The rapid change in technology is not that rapid when it comes to DELL. A computer has a very limited number of variable components which of course have a wide range of types but they are each of a very similar form factor. A lean material supply chain would be paramount here to ensure that you do not have large stocks of any product which may become obsolete. That’s about the only place i could consider ‘agility’ to be required.

In general i consider it false to talk about “lean markets”. That would be you purely applying ‘lean’ to your manufacturing process, but there are so many other areas of work that you can improve – ie the material supply chain again.

Sorry if it rambles, writing this in a very small window.

-anon solectron engineer.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: robert http://www.leanblog.org/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1686 robert Fri, 16 Feb 2007 05:07:00 +0000 http://leanblog.bigbigdesign.net/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1686 I recall reading that a key question to ask is "Am I in an agile market or a lean one?”<br/><br/>Lean markets are stable and cost is the primary driver. Agile markets are unstable with technology changing rapidly, eg Dell.<br/><br/>I would argue it agility not lean that Dell should be promoting.<br/><br/>Rob<br/><br/>www.63buckets.co.uk (lean)<br/>www.qualityhero.co.uk (six sigma)<br/>www.rob-thompson.net I recall reading that a key question to ask is “Am I in an agile market or a lean one?”

Lean markets are stable and cost is the primary driver. Agile markets are unstable with technology changing rapidly, eg Dell.

I would argue it agility not lean that Dell should be promoting.

Rob

http://www.63buckets.co.uk (lean)
http://www.qualityhero.co.uk (six sigma)
http://www.rob-thompson.net

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: JWDT http://www.leanblog.org/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1684 JWDT Thu, 15 Feb 2007 15:41:00 +0000 http://leanblog.bigbigdesign.net/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1684 You have to love the LS6 discussion. My 2 cents, waste of time. If you have an effective Standard Work package with Jidoka, why do you need Six Sigma? You have to love the LS6 discussion. My 2 cents, waste of time. If you have an effective Standard Work package with Jidoka, why do you need Six Sigma?

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.leanblog.org/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1680 Anonymous Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:15:00 +0000 http://leanblog.bigbigdesign.net/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1680 yes, it is a waste of time yes, it is a waste of time

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.leanblog.org/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1679 Anonymous Thu, 15 Feb 2007 08:28:00 +0000 http://leanblog.bigbigdesign.net/2007/02/dell-hires-lean-guy-from-selectron/#comment-1679 As Chuck-D of public enemy once said "d-d-don't believe the hype"<br/><br/>-anonymous solectron engineer As Chuck-D of public enemy once said “d-d-don’t believe the hype”

-anonymous solectron engineer

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]>