Bad Visual Controls Example: Drug Store
From a trip to a national drugstore chain. I was looking for razor blades, that was it. I walked in the front door and saw the bright “Razors” sign in the back of the store (top of the picture). So,…
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All posts from Mark Graban’s LeanBlog.org, including podcasts, announcements, articles, and more.
Doron Levin on Overproduction
Bloomberg.com: Bloomberg Columnists: Doron Levin Another good column by Doron Levin. “Overproduction” is considered to be one of the “8 Types of Waste”. It is also considered to be the “worst” type of waste by Toyota Production System practioners because…
Kitchen Kaizen — The Coffee Pot
I’m working from home this week and have a bit of a “kitchen kaizen” kick, as evidenced by my “lean oatmeal” post. Last Christmas, I received a new all-in-one “grind and brew” coffee pot from Cuisinart. I’ve ground my own…
Project Kaizen: Quick & Easy Kaizen
Today’s topic for the Project Kaizen group blogging effort is the idea of applying “quick and easy kaizen” to a project setting. “These are improvements that affect the ease of one person doing a job and within ones authority to…
Project Kaizen: "Workstream" Kaizen
Today’s topic for the Project Kaizen group blogging effort is kaizen for a “workstream.” We’ll look at making improvements across a subset of a value stream. This often crosses organizational boundaries. ————————One workstream I’ve been a part of is the…
Avoiding Unclear Buzzwords
Hi blog readers. I got some feedback from one visitor that said, “I’d like more explanation of articles you link to & more definitions of buzzwords and acronyms.” I try to avoid using buzzwords, and if I do so, it’s…
More on the Toyota Cost/Profit Model
Evolving Excellence: Its About Cost, Stupid! Great post here by Bill Waddell about the Toyota “Profit/Cost” model ofProfit = Price – Cost. He elaborates on it as “Profit = (Price x Volume) – Cost and points out origins tracing back…
Project Kaizen: Improving Workgroups
Today’s topic for the Project Kaizen group blogging effort is kaizen for a “workgroup,” with that being defined as “making improvements for sub-team members performing the same type of work.” ——————— One sub-team I have been a part of is…
Kitchen Lean: Standardized Oatmeal?
I’m often challenged by people (including my wife sometimes), “why don’t you apply lean concepts at home, Mr. Lean?” I haven’t shadowed my kitchen items (that would look bad), but I do apply some general 5S concepts, including keeping most…
The Case for Project Kaizen
Here is my posting for the Monday “Project Kaizen” group blogging effort, the topic being “Why Project Kaizen?”————————– Why wouldn’t the concept of “kaizen“, or continuous improvement, apply to any activity in or organization? While there are many definitions of…
Project Kaizen Co-Blogging Week
Project Kaizen Co-Blogging Themes :: Reforming Project Management Starting Monday, I will be joining a group of lean thinkers and bloggers who will be writing all week on the topic of “Project Kaizen”, or the practice of kaizen in project-type…
Where’s the Innovation in closing plants?
The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Ford’s North American restructuring plan will include closing 5 plants and eliminating 6% of it’s workforce. Ford did not comment, other than to reiterate that announcements regarding the restructuring plan will be…