Lean Six Sigma Bursts

Do you see problems recur later after all the attention has gone away? That could be the Hawthorne Effect at work, which can create confusion on whether your improvements are actually working. Links Wikipedia: Hawthorne Effect BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com

When I facilitate mapping events, after completing the current state map and before we create the future state map, I like to first walk the team through an ideal state discussion. I categorized these concepts and share the list with you in this podcast. Links Why I like using the Ideal State Mapping approach BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com

Ground rules are an important element of running a successful process improvement event (called Kaizen Blitz or Kaikaku events). In this podcast, I share a compiled list of rules that you can use as a starting point for your next improvement workshop. Links List of Typical Lean Kaizen Event Ground Rules BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com

During some recent travel, my wife and I ended up watching multiple episodes of "Bar Rescue."  I've watched the show for many years, so I re-watched it with a new lens, now that I'm consulting on my own.  As I thought about my approach to consulting, how would I help these bars and restaurants make dramatic improvements? Listen for my comparison of how I would prefer to help these bars v...

I discuss the Lean approach to writing a book, which is how I published my first 2.5 books. LeanPub.com allows you to write and publish your book for free and release similar to software, instead of one large batch like in traditional book publishing.  Links LeanPub.com Lean Six Sigma for Good: How improvement experts can help people in need, and help improve the environment Lean Six Sigma fo...

I discuss the internal Lean Six Sigma certification program I helped develop and implement at Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace), and why I think it's a good model for other organizations to consider if you want to offer certifications. Links BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com

If you've struggled to decide what improvement project to work on at work or for a certification project, check out this list of project or event ideas that you could consider for your industry. I have examples from the following categories: Personal Life, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Sales, Shipping/Receiving and Warehouse, Information Technology (IT), Product/Service Design, Call Cen...

I try to simplify some confusion about the 7 types of waste (or are there 14 types?), the 3 M's, and explain simpler ways to think about opportunities in a process. Links Article: From 7 Wastes to 3 – The Yamada Method Acronyms for remembering the wastes BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com

I finished writing an article about two sustainability certification programs that require continuous improvement, but don't give guidance on how to do that. I explain why I think Lean is the best method to adopt for these mission-driven organizations. I also share examples below in the links about why I think Toyota is a leader in community engagement and environmental causes, not just financial...

I had a call this week helping out with a Black Belt project, and I was reminded about the Standardize-Do-Check-Act model that should be implemented first, before trying to make improvements to a process using the PDCA model (Plan-Do-Check-Act) Links BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Kaizen - The Key to Japan's Competitive Success by Masaaki Imai Photo from Masaaki Imai's "Kaizen" book about S...

I received two questions from Mark Graban about my first episode. He is a well-known Lean consultant with expertise in the healthcare industry, and has authored multiple books, including Lean Hospitals and Healthcare Kaizen and Measures of Success. He is also the host of multiple podcasts, including Lean Blog and My Favorite Mistake. Learn more about him at MarkGraban.com Links BIZ-PI.com LeanSixS...

During Lean and Six Sigma classes, I meet a lot of people who are good problem solvers already, and they mention that the topics are similar to how they approach problems. Here are some of my observations about my interactions with them, and what takeaways I gathered. Links BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com

I share exciting news that we have digital access to Norman Bodek's past PRODUCTIVITY newsletters from 1980-1993 . He lived in Vancouver, Washington (near Portland), but was moving to Japan permanently, and we have scanned in the documents for you to search, download and review. Links BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com PRODUCTIVITY newsletters and interviews with Norman Bodek

I discuss the simple visual management templates called SQDC (also called QDIP). These visuals help simplify the daily management for a process area, to quickly bring attention to areas that need help. A video of the discussion is available on the product page in the link below Links BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Watch a video or download the SQDC templates

I discuss the Lean at Home contest being run by Lean Portland. We are giving away $200 in prizes to those who submit an improvement project at home that was completed in the last 6 months. We also have a free online course you can take if you need some help! Links BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com "Lean at Home" contest "Lean at Home" - Free online course

I explain what Pareto charts are, and why they should be used more often than they are. I also summarize an older article I wrote about changing the way to display these charts. Links BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com (Pareto) New spin (literally) on an old quality tool

I explain how and when hypothesis tests can be used, based on a recent article I wrote, which looked at the racial inequities brought up by football players at the University of Iowa and the data that can support these claims. Links BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Affordable Green Belt Training Racial Differences in Football Player Retention at the University of Iowa

I created a video that accompanies this quick explanation of DMAIC, which stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control. DMAIC is the core structure used in Six Sigma projects Links BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Video of DMAIC Overview

In this episode, I discuss the Influencer behavior change model, and how it applies to getting people to wear their masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 Links BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Article: How Behavior Change Can Influence Wearing of Masks

In this episode, I answer a question I often receive about how to categorize financial cost savings from improvement, either hard or soft, and what is the difference? Links BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com

In this first episode, I answer a question I received about salaries for Six Sigma Black Belts, and why I think they make good money. Links BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com