Continuous Improvement

Master Continuous Improvement to keep your business ahead in 2024.

Go from zero to pro with the ultimate CI cheat sheet:

1/ PDCA

PDCA is a four-step model for Lean problem-solving and change management.

This framework enables you to solve problems in a rigorous, methodical way.

It’s a key CI tool in different areas like

+problem solving
+quality management
+new product development
+business process management

It enables you to implement the best solutions.

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2/ Value Stream Mapping

VSM is a visual tool that shows all critical steps
in your operations from material inputs to customer delivery.

It aims to show you where you can reduce waste.

Main steps are:

+Pick a product family
+Build the VSM team
+Figure out your customer demand
+Map the material flow
+Map the information flow

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3/ Kanban

Kanban is a scheduling system for lean manufacturing
that originated at Toyota in the 1950s.

It’s used to manage and improve the flow of work,
with the goal of minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency.

A Kanban board is a visual tool
used to manage and optimize the flow of work.

It consists of columns, cards and swimlanes.

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4/ Poka Yoke

Poka-Yoke is a Japanese term that means “mistake-proofing”.

It refers to any mechanism helping an operator avoid mistakes by preventing, correcting, or drawing attention to human errors as they occur.

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5/ 5S

5S refers to 5 Japanese terms which are used to describe
the main steps of visual management toward OpEx:

(1S) Seiri → Sort
(2S) Seiton → Set In Order
(3S) Seiso → Shine
(4S) Seiketsu → Standardize
(5S) Shitsuke → Sustain

When successfully implemented, 5S can turn any dirty place
into a clean, standardized workplace.

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6/ Gemba Walk

See the reality on the ground, instead of just relying on data.

That’s what the Gemba Walk is all about.

In Japanese, the word ‘Gemba’ → ‘Actual Place.’

If you detect resistance to change,
switch to a go-see management approach.

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7/ The 8 Wastes of Lean

Waste is something the customer is not willing to spend money on

Being able to see the 8 wastes of Lean is always the first step.

As you cut one waste, new opportunities for improvement will arise.