Lean Six Sigma Bursts

In this episode, I share the audio from a recent video I created. The short video highlights four different industry case studies applying Lean principles and concepts. The 4 organizations highlighted in the video: Omark Industries (Manufacturing) - Learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lean_manufacturing Appvion (Manufacturing) - featured in the book Lean CEO at https://amzn.to/3QQjNiV City...

In this episode, I share the audio from a recent video I created. The short video highlights four different examples of nonprofits and NGOs applying Lean principles and concepts to social challenges in the local community. I also announce our new Lean courses: Lean Introduction and Lean Fundamentals . The Lean Introduction course can be accessed for free using coupon code " KICKSTARTLEAN-LSSE " Th...

In this episode, I read off a recent article I wrote, breaking down the turnover data from the University of Iowa 2021 football season. I explain how I would evaluate their data using categorization and Pareto charts to identify more opportunities to create more turnovers against their opponents, or reduce the number of turnovers caused, which will increase their chance of winning games. Links Haw...

In this episode, I read off an article I wrote back a few years, about how the 5S workplace organization methods compare to the popular home organizing methods of Marie Kondo, developer of the KonMari method, which had become popular through her books and Netflix TV show. There are other links embedded within the article. Links Article: 5S and the KonMari method Need help in your organization? Let...

In this episode, I discuss how I helped someone select a key metric for their Six Sigma project, based on the opportunity to measure and statistically validate the improvement. Links Lean Six Sigma Project Ideas Need help in your organization? Let's talk! Schedule a free support call BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

In this episode, I discuss a way to help identify a potential Lean Six Sigma project out of a larger improvement project taking place. Selecting a project is one of the hardest things to complete for those pursuing a Lean Six Sigma certification. Links Lean Six Sigma Project Ideas Need help in your organization? Let's talk! Schedule a free support call BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a...

In this episode, I discuss how I applied the Theory of Constraints (TOC) to come up with additional improvement ideas for a bottleneck process at a client I am working with. Before we invest in more people or equipment (throwing money at the problem), let's make sure we have extracted as much opportunity out of the existing process. Links What is Theory of Constraints? Need help in your organ...

In this episode, I discuss ways in which I've combined current event topics from the Iowa Hawkeyes sports teams with my data analysis and process improvement background. I explain a summary of 4 articles I have written, and invite you to read the ones that are of interest to you. Links True or False? Iowa Football Struggles in Games on the West Coast Will Jordan Bohannon Tie or Break the Big Ten 3...

In this episode, I discuss a situation I encountered related to hiring new employees within a set period of time. Thinking about the problem in terms of takt time was helpful, so I thought I'd share that with everyone. If you don't know about takt time, it's a method to establish a pace or rhythm for how often a process needs to complete items. We take the time available divided by the number of i...

In this episode, I share the 7th and final module of the free "Lean at home" course, giving you a full example of a home improvement project. Hopefully you will be inspired to make similar improvements to your own personal life. If you complete a similar project to this at home, you can submit the project workbook to me for review, and obtain a "Lean at Home" certification. If you want to watch al...

In this episode, I share the 6th module of the free "Lean at home" course, giving you ideas about how to error proof your home from mistakes, and documenting the new process using checklists and standard operating procedures or SOPs. At the end of the course, you will have the option to implement a project and get a "Lean at Home" certification. Over the next few weeks, I will upload other modules...

In this episode, I share the 5th module of the free "Lean at home" course, helping you understand how to organize your home using the 5s method. I also go through an example of organizing my mom's sewing room. At the end of the course, you will have the option to implement a project and get a "Lean at Home" certification. Over the next few weeks, I will upload other modules from the course. But yo...

In this episode, I share the 4th module of the free "Lean at home" course, helping you learn about the 8 forms of waste, and how you can spot these wastes in your home process. At the end of the course, you will have the option to implement a project and get a "Lean at Home" certification. Over the next few weeks, I will upload other modules from the course. But you don't have to wait. You can acc...

In this episode, I share the 3rd module of the free "Lean at home" course, giving you ideas about what data to collect, and how to better understand your home processes by creating a process map or spaghetti diagram.  At the end of the course, you will have the option to implement a project and get a "Lean at Home" certification. Over the next few weeks, I will upload other modules from the c...

In this episode, I share the 2nd module of the free "Lean at home" course, giving you ideas about which process at home you could select for your improvement project. At the end of the course, you will have the option to implement a project and get a "Lean at Home" certification. Over the next few weeks, I will upload other modules from the course. But you don't have to wait. You can access the en...

In this episode, I share the introductory module of the free "Lean at home" course, explaining why I made this course, and why it's a great starting point for anyone interested in learning and practicing Lean and process improvement methods. Over the next few weeks, I will upload other modules from the course. But you don't have to wait. You can access the entire free course, called "Home Efficien...

In this episode, I talk about a useful matrix that helps you identify cross-training and skill development opportunities with your team or in your organization. It's called a cross-training matrix, or a skills matrix. Each skill is listed on one side, and each team member is listed on the other side of the matrix. For each combination of skill and person, you determine how much experience they hav...

In this episode, I rant about the lack of effort some organizations put into their process improvement programs, and then are surprised that it didn't work, and want to blame the tools and methods, not their strategy for deploying it. Links Need help in your organization? Let's talk! Schedule a free support call BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a question? Submit a voice message at Ancho...

In this episode, I read the book review I wrote about the book, " The Lean Dentist ." It is based on the lean journey of Dr. Sami Bahri, DDS, who is an experienced dentist in Jacksonville, Florida. He has been an avid learner looking for ways to improve his dental clinic, and shares his transition journey to a "one-patient flow." You might also find the book in its original title, "Follow The Lear...

In this episode, I talk about the importance of collecting data in the very beginning before you start an improvement project or initiative. The example I use is measuring how much sleep we get a night, and collecting data to see if the current performance is below a target or goal you have. It might not be as bad as you think, or maybe it's worse than you thought. Collect the data first. Links Si...

In this episode, I talk about some other ways to identify waste and opportunity in your process and workday, specifically the tasks that you are not doing, but should be. This proactive work doesn't happen, so you often don't realize that you didn't get around to it. It later shows up as actual waste when something goes wrong or there are problems, but it's too late. Start to notice these proactiv...

In this episode, I go on a little rant about books, and how I estimate there are a lot of unread books in people's homes and offices. I'm considering a challenge to get people to read some of their unread books, or get rid of them and free up space in your home. Would you be interested in this challenge? Links Book: Joy at Work by Marie Kondo and Scott Sonenshein Article: 5S and the KonMari method...

I was asked a question about how to get started applying Lean and Six Sigma to a non-manufacturing business. I thought about some key questions I would want to ask, and sent them a response. I thought they were good questions, so I wanted to share them on the podcast.  Links BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com Have a question? Submit a voice message at Anchor.fm

During a recent coaching call with a client, we discussed applicability of statistical process control (SPC) and control charts (also called process behavior charts) in their operations. I sent them a link to the Honda SPC video (older but highly recommended) and I share the comments I made to elaborate on what they saw.  Links Honda Statistical Process Control video BIZ-PI.com LeanSixSigmaDe...

After conducting a Lean 101 webinar for Lean Portland, we had some excellent questions from the attendees, so I thought I share my answers. The first question was looking for advice on how management can support their employees instead of just giving them their idea on what the answers are. The second question asked about how to deal with managers who think that no complaints means no problems. Yo...