I. Lean Transformation
The "Lean Transformation" is the complete business system; it begins with (1) an Enterprise-Wide Value Stream Analysis EVSA and ends with your company functioning with its own (2) internal Lean experts.
1) An Enterprise-Wide Value Stream Analysis (EVSA) provides a "Big Picture" look at your organization. An EVSA helps provide a strategic roadmap that will serve as a guide for planning continuous improvement efforts. This important step identifies the primary customer(s), all major value streams, and helps prioritize process improvement projects and training.
2) Internal Lean Experts: Developing internal Lean capability provides flexibility, is less expensive and is the only real way to continuously improve processes and sustain improvements. We will work together to build a capable and motivated core team of Lean experts within the company.
Between these two steps lies the majority of the work. The "work" can be summarized by various types of process improvement events (often referred to as kaizen events), accompanied by a steady pace of leadership coaching, education and training at all levels and formal management of daily operations.
II. Targeted Improvements
A company may identify an important process that is "broke" or clearly not meeting expectations. In this case we will work with the experts within that process and apply the appropriate Lean tools to help identify and resolve the root cause issue(s). Targeted improvements can lead to significant performance improvements and increased productivity and morale for all stakeholders involved directly or indirectly in the process.
III. On-site Workshops
Lean Workshops: All workshops offer a steady mix of learning and doing. Our combination of learning (providing the necessary knowledge) and doing (hands-on training) is a highly effective approach that has proven to work time and time again.
Onsite Workshop Cost Benefits: Onsite Lean Workshops offer companies a significant cost savings when compared to sending people away for training. We can normally train 20 people for roughly what you'd expect to spend if you sent a small number of staff to a conference/workshop for the same training.
Lean Green Belt Course (4-days)
This Lean Green Belt Course is designed to develop a core team of trained Lean project facilitators. This workshop serves a twofold purpose. (1) It is a critical part of training for your internal lean experts (2) It will serve to significantly broaden the depth and experience level of using Lean methodologies and tools within your organization. Note: This course is a must for any company embarking on a lean journey or otherwise seeking to acquire internal lean capability.
Root Cause Analysis (1-2 days)
This is an outstanding workshop that utilizes simple but effective tools to help identify the root cause of an issue. Identifying root cause issues helps ensure the right problem is correctly identified and solved; saving time, resources and money. This workshop will challenge people to lay aside their biases and preconceived notions; helping them become more effective problem solvers, leaders and managers.
A3 Management (1-day)
Learn how to manage your process improvements projects and solve problems with a simple one-page document called an A3. A3 management is increasingly becoming more common in both the manufacturing and the service sector. The A3 management reporting tool provides executives, front line managers and employees a common format that is easily understood and deeply rooted in problem solving.
5S + Visual Management (1-day)
Visual management combined with "5S" (Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) will lead to a significant decrease in wasted time and energy along with management, employee and customer frustration. This workshop will explain how to incorporate and sustain 5S and visual management into your operations.
Single Minute Exchange of Die (SMED), Quick Changeover (2-days)
SMED is a term used to describe a process for changing over production equipment from one part number to another as quickly as possible. SMED (often referred to quick changeover) refers to the target of reducing changeover times to a single minute digit (less than 10 minutes). Who needs to learn about SMED? Any company that routinely changes over equipment to produce a variety of products or provide services like in a hospital's OR.
IV. Certification Programs
Green Belt Certification
A Lean green is an important asset to any organization trying to implement Lean process improvement methodologies. A Lean green belt should have a working knowledge of the primary Lean tools, and quickly increase in knowledge and skills through hands-on experience and continued mentoring. A certified Lean green belt is competent in leading teams through various process improvement (often called kaizen) events.
Black Belt Certification
A Lean black belt is critical for companies that are trying to grow their internal lean capabilities. A certified Lean black belt is one who has acquired more experience, more knowledge and is qualified to mentor, train and certify Lean green belts.