Below, you will find the most important news reports that were published on this site in 2010, 2011 and 2012
[ articles 2013-2017 ]
[ articles 2013-2017 ]
november 12, 2012: site section Lean / Lead & Change
Getting and Staying Lean by continuously developing leaders
^ The Toyota Way to Lean Leadership shows
how this company develops Lean leaders
Many organizations have trouble sustaining lean manufacturing. Toyota is one of the few exceptions. According to Jeffrey Liker and Gary Convis in their book “The Toyota Way to Lean Leadership”, their secret is their leadership system.
> more
Getting and Staying Lean by continuously developing leaders
^ The Toyota Way to Lean Leadership shows
how this company develops Lean leaders
Many organizations have trouble sustaining lean manufacturing. Toyota is one of the few exceptions. According to Jeffrey Liker and Gary Convis in their book “The Toyota Way to Lean Leadership”, their secret is their leadership system.
Toyota provides a nurturing but challenging environment, to ensure that new Lean leaders are developed continuously. This is not done by simple class room training. Leaders are coached on the job during their entire career, by experienced mentors or sensei, to continuously deepen and broaden their management skills. Those skills are:
- Acting as a sensei themselves, which means improving processes and people at the same time. A Toyota leader does not force people to implement a pre-cooked solution, but helps, coaches, encourages and challenges them. As a result, they do not only improve their work but also their problem-solving and leadership skills.
- Aligning local improvement efforts horizontally, to ensure that higher goals are accomplished, such as an increased flow end-to-end.
- Aligning improvement efforts vertically, so that everybody contributes to the mission of the company.
> more
september 4, 2012: site section Lean / Lead & Change
Positive energy brings about Lean transformation
^ During a 'dreamday', Leaf-employees
presented their ideal factory in 2015
Two years ago, the situation in the confectionary factory of Leaf was very worrisome. Regularly, delivery to the customers was late, there were quality problems, and there was a lot of waste. According to the managers the employees were to blame: they were said to be “incompetent”.
> more
Positive energy brings about Lean transformation
^ During a 'dreamday', Leaf-employees
presented their ideal factory in 2015
Two years ago, the situation in the confectionary factory of Leaf was very worrisome. Regularly, delivery to the customers was late, there were quality problems, and there was a lot of waste. According to the managers the employees were to blame: they were said to be “incompetent”.
However, an entirely new management team proved the opposite!
Negative energy was converted into positive energy, by way of Appreciative Inquiry. This method emphasizes current strengths, and expands those strengths later. The results are astounding: One year after everyone started to work together to achieve a Lean transformation, the factory has already become profitable again.> more
august 14, 2012: site section Lead & Change
The power and magic to say 'yes' to customers immediately!
^ Author John Bernard and cover of his book
'Business at the speed of Now'
In his book “Business at the Speed of Now”, John Bernard describes an engaging, transparent and real-time management system. Particularly interesting is the contribution of social media and cloud computing.
In a "now company", all employees know exactly their role in end-to-end business processes, keep score how well they are performing, and are allowed to make decisions autonomously. The result is a responsive organization, with the power and magic to say ‘yes’ to customers immediately!
Bernards ideas connect with a current management trend: Get rid of the barrier between thinkers (management) and doers (workforce). Even when you create a mission for your company every opinion counts, he states.
> more
The power and magic to say 'yes' to customers immediately!
^ Author John Bernard and cover of his book
'Business at the speed of Now'
In his book “Business at the Speed of Now”, John Bernard describes an engaging, transparent and real-time management system. Particularly interesting is the contribution of social media and cloud computing.
In a "now company", all employees know exactly their role in end-to-end business processes, keep score how well they are performing, and are allowed to make decisions autonomously. The result is a responsive organization, with the power and magic to say ‘yes’ to customers immediately!
Bernards ideas connect with a current management trend: Get rid of the barrier between thinkers (management) and doers (workforce). Even when you create a mission for your company every opinion counts, he states.
> more
may 8, 2012: site section Lead & Change
The emotional side of value creation
^ Monitoring of takt times at ASML
Many organizations use Lean, Six Sigma or TPM to increase the value they create for their customers. Applying tools from these methods, like Value Stream Mapping or Kanban, is however not enough. This is acknowledged by companies like Philips, Sara Lee, ASML and Volvo. How to deal with the people part of continuous improvement? In this article, managers from the multinationals mentioned above explain how they show that everyone counts, and should contribute to improvement. Inspiring employees requires above all feeling for their emotions: how do they experience their work.
Interestingly, the same can be said regarding the customers. Today, how customers experience your products or services determines if these will be successful.
When you combine these facts, the conclusion is that organizations should become dopamine companies in two respects:
The emotional side of value creation
^ Monitoring of takt times at ASML
Many organizations use Lean, Six Sigma or TPM to increase the value they create for their customers. Applying tools from these methods, like Value Stream Mapping or Kanban, is however not enough. This is acknowledged by companies like Philips, Sara Lee, ASML and Volvo. How to deal with the people part of continuous improvement? In this article, managers from the multinationals mentioned above explain how they show that everyone counts, and should contribute to improvement. Inspiring employees requires above all feeling for their emotions: how do they experience their work.
Interestingly, the same can be said regarding the customers. Today, how customers experience your products or services determines if these will be successful.
When you combine these facts, the conclusion is that organizations should become dopamine companies in two respects:
- The employees experience ‘flow’, a feeling of energized focus, immersion and success
- The customers experience products or services which are so excellent, that they will recommend these to their friends
march 14, 2012: site section News / Lean Six Sigma
Philips wants to accelerate !
^ Philips wants faster innovation
Two years ago, there were two separate improvement methods within Philips Consumer Lifestyle:
> more
Philips wants to accelerate !
^ Philips wants faster innovation
Two years ago, there were two separate improvement methods within Philips Consumer Lifestyle:
- A successful people based Lean approach in factories called Simply Philips, to get everyone involved in continuously improving production processes.
- A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt program for rapid breakthrough improvement, which was also a management development program for future leaders.
> more
january 25, 2012: site section Lean
A well-balanced introduction to Lean in hospitals
^ Cover Lean Hospitals & author Mark Graban
Do you want to know what lean working, thinking ánd managing in a hospital looks like, and what the results can be? The second edition of the book Lean hospitals of Mark Graban gives you a clear and well-balanced introduction! Almost all aspects pass in review, from standardizing and improving work, to creating flow and engaging employees. Also the need to create a problem-solving culture is addressed, be it on a basic level.
What I liked in particular is the practical line of approach. There are many inspiring examples, but Graban explains that you should experiment – of course without jeopardizing the quality of the care - to find out what works in your ward, laboratory etcetera. Typical Lean objectives like zero waste and creating a One Piece Flow should only serve as a direction for improvement, and the application of tools like 5S should not be exaggerated. It should always be kept in mind that the primary goal is more value for the patient. Lean tools are useful if these solve problems and reduce waste, with interfere with patient care.
There were only two things I missed in this well-written book: The concept of creating clinical pathways for patients with similar symptoms, and making a business case for Lean.
> more
A well-balanced introduction to Lean in hospitals
^ Cover Lean Hospitals & author Mark Graban
Do you want to know what lean working, thinking ánd managing in a hospital looks like, and what the results can be? The second edition of the book Lean hospitals of Mark Graban gives you a clear and well-balanced introduction! Almost all aspects pass in review, from standardizing and improving work, to creating flow and engaging employees. Also the need to create a problem-solving culture is addressed, be it on a basic level.
What I liked in particular is the practical line of approach. There are many inspiring examples, but Graban explains that you should experiment – of course without jeopardizing the quality of the care - to find out what works in your ward, laboratory etcetera. Typical Lean objectives like zero waste and creating a One Piece Flow should only serve as a direction for improvement, and the application of tools like 5S should not be exaggerated. It should always be kept in mind that the primary goal is more value for the patient. Lean tools are useful if these solve problems and reduce waste, with interfere with patient care.
There were only two things I missed in this well-written book: The concept of creating clinical pathways for patients with similar symptoms, and making a business case for Lean.
> more
october 25, 2011: site section Lean
The evolution and state-of-the-art regarding Lean
^ Early example of Lean. Moving assembly of
the T-Ford in 1924 (source: Ford)
There are people who grasp each problem within Toyota, to state that Lean manufacturing now really is out of date. Others fight tooth and nail to defend the production system of the Japanese car manufacturer.
> more
The evolution and state-of-the-art regarding Lean
^ Early example of Lean. Moving assembly of
the T-Ford in 1924 (source: Ford)
There are people who grasp each problem within Toyota, to state that Lean manufacturing now really is out of date. Others fight tooth and nail to defend the production system of the Japanese car manufacturer.
Both attitudes are rather peculiar. What we call Lean today, is no more or less then the state-of-the-art to deliver good quality products or services on time, and at the lowest possible cost. So, even if Toyota fails, this does not mean that Lean comes to an end. Regardless of how well Toyota is doing, our view on smart production will continue to evolve, like it did during the last century.
Nowadays, the attention for the organisational side of Lean increases. How can I make problem solvers of all my employees, is a question that many Lean researchers try to answer.
Besides that it catches the eye that Lean turns out to be applicable in an increasing number of organization types. Even design to order production and administrative processes can be made Lean. This is also a matter of evolution, since Lean is adapted to match with these new environments.> more
august 24, 2011: site section WorldClass
Combining Lean, Six Sigma and the TOC to achieve breakthrough performance
^ The authors of Velocity: Jeff Cox (left),
Suzan Bergland (middle) & Dee Jacob (right)
> more
Combining Lean, Six Sigma and the TOC to achieve breakthrough performance
^ The authors of Velocity: Jeff Cox (left),
Suzan Bergland (middle) & Dee Jacob (right)
Gerritjan van der Ven, plant manager at Balchem in Italy, reviewed the book Velocity for us!
His findings: "The authors recognize that only with a combination of the main logistic manufacturing theories you will get the breakthroughs you need in today’s competitive environment. This is a big plus, since the literature I studied so far kept especially Lean and the TOC strictly separated. Until now, it was like you had to choose between the Beatles and the Rolling Stones!
Lean, Six Sigma and the TOC all have their own strong points and weaknesses. As a plant manager I discovered myself how well a strategy based on TOC, can be filled in practically by applying Lean and Six Sigma tools. This approach I found justified in the very readable business novel Velocity.
The message in this book is twofold:
- TOC should not only be used to maximally exploit a bottleneck machine, but should also be applied broader, to find business constraints on a strategic level.
- When the TOC is applied that way, practical tools from the Lean and Six Sigma toolboxes can be used on the operational and tactical level, to relieve those business constraints.
> more
june 14, 2011: site section News / TOC
In memoriam Dr. Eliyahu M. Goldratt (1947-2011): "Every conflict can be solved"
^ Eliyahu Goldratt
After an illness of several months, Eliyahu Goldratt, managementguru and founder of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) passed away. At the time he stayed in his house in Israel, surrounded by his family and friends. In the first place our thoughts are with them. Besides that, Goldratt’s death is a big loss to the process improvement community.
> more
In memoriam Dr. Eliyahu M. Goldratt (1947-2011): "Every conflict can be solved"
^ Eliyahu Goldratt
After an illness of several months, Eliyahu Goldratt, managementguru and founder of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) passed away. At the time he stayed in his house in Israel, surrounded by his family and friends. In the first place our thoughts are with them. Besides that, Goldratt’s death is a big loss to the process improvement community.
> more
may 27, 2011: site section Lean
Framework to evaluate outsourcing lean logistics
^ Systematic evaluation of outsourcing
possibilies proves it's value within Scania
There are many models to evaluate logistic outsourcing possibilities. However, none of these include in the assessment which part of the material handling should be part of the deal. This is crucial for companies with lean operations. In that case, wrong decisions can be a direct threat to the flow from raw materials to the final product.
Scientists from the university of Groningen in the Netherlands therefore developed a conceptual framework to evaluate outsourcing possibilities, based on two things: the location and the type of material handling.
This new framework was successfully tested within truck manufacturer Scania in the Netherlands. This company considers logistics outsourcing, to meet an expected increase in demand.
> more
Framework to evaluate outsourcing lean logistics
^ Systematic evaluation of outsourcing
possibilies proves it's value within Scania
There are many models to evaluate logistic outsourcing possibilities. However, none of these include in the assessment which part of the material handling should be part of the deal. This is crucial for companies with lean operations. In that case, wrong decisions can be a direct threat to the flow from raw materials to the final product.
Scientists from the university of Groningen in the Netherlands therefore developed a conceptual framework to evaluate outsourcing possibilities, based on two things: the location and the type of material handling.
This new framework was successfully tested within truck manufacturer Scania in the Netherlands. This company considers logistics outsourcing, to meet an expected increase in demand.
> more
may 10, 2011: site section TOC
Isn’t it obvious? Why even obvious solutions are not always accepted!
^ Eliyahu Goldratt and cover Isn't it Obvious
Due to the immense popularity of Eli Goldratt’s book The Goal, his Theory of Constraints (TOC) is often equated with maximally exploiting a resource of limited capacity (a bottleneck). However, it is much more than that, argues Goldratt at the end of his last book “Isn’t it obvious?”. I agree: The core of the TOC is mapping causes and effects, to find ground breaking business opportunities to focus on.
> more*
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> see also: In memoriam Eliyahu Goldratt
Isn’t it obvious? Why even obvious solutions are not always accepted!
^ Eliyahu Goldratt and cover Isn't it Obvious
Due to the immense popularity of Eli Goldratt’s book The Goal, his Theory of Constraints (TOC) is often equated with maximally exploiting a resource of limited capacity (a bottleneck). However, it is much more than that, argues Goldratt at the end of his last book “Isn’t it obvious?”. I agree: The core of the TOC is mapping causes and effects, to find ground breaking business opportunities to focus on.
In his article Standing on the shoulders of Giants, Goldratt already positioned Lean manufacturing as a method with the same roots as the Theory of Constraints. In Isn’t it obvious he goes a step further. The way in which he analyses a retail chain, by mapping causes and effects, is still typically TOC. However, the solutions found – demand driven replenishment, mini-markets in warehouses, go see how your suppliers operate and find a win-win solution – all are typically Lean.
The cinematic book Isn’t it obvious not only shows what can be accomplished with the TOC in a retail chain, there is also a deeper message in it. Good solutions are often based on correcting wrong assumptions. Therefore they look embarrassingly simple, once you found them (remember Archimedes yelling Eureka?). However, this does not mean that everyone will accept these ‘obvious’ solutions at once! Hidden in the book, there is cause and effect logic to be used for change management. People can have a distorted picture of the gold, the pain, the crocodiles and/or the mermaids associated with change. If so, these wrong assumptions should be corrected.> more*
*) to read this article free registration is needed (we will completely respect your privacy!)
> see also: In memoriam Eliyahu Goldratt
april 19, 2011: site section Lead & Change
Toyota Kata: A company full of problem-solvers and coaches!
^ Cover Toyota Kata & author Mike Rother
After six years of research in Toyota factories, Mike Rother describes in his book Toyota Kata how this car manufacturer manages their people.Toyota Kata is an excellent book, which really adds something new to the existing Lean literature!
The main message: Behavior routines, the so-called Improvement Kata and Coaching Kata, determine how everyone within Toyota strives iteratively to reach a Target Condition. This brings the company a step closer to a Vision, be it along a route that is a priori unclear and full of hidden obstacles. This is therefore something completely different then our management by quantitative and financial targets, in which not only what but also how things should be done is determined beforehand. This results in ‘projects’ or ‘action-lists’, which often often fail due to unforeseen barriers.
This organizational difference explains why many Western companies until now often could become Lean, but failed to stay that way. Toyota turns out to be an organization in which everyone is a problem-solver, guided by a coach! Can we learn to climb a mountain in the fog like Toyota does, and perhaps even become better than they are in developing new Lean tools?
Read what we learned from this book. In addition, author Mike Rother reacts extensively to our findings!
> more
Toyota Kata: A company full of problem-solvers and coaches!
^ Cover Toyota Kata & author Mike Rother
After six years of research in Toyota factories, Mike Rother describes in his book Toyota Kata how this car manufacturer manages their people.Toyota Kata is an excellent book, which really adds something new to the existing Lean literature!
The main message: Behavior routines, the so-called Improvement Kata and Coaching Kata, determine how everyone within Toyota strives iteratively to reach a Target Condition. This brings the company a step closer to a Vision, be it along a route that is a priori unclear and full of hidden obstacles. This is therefore something completely different then our management by quantitative and financial targets, in which not only what but also how things should be done is determined beforehand. This results in ‘projects’ or ‘action-lists’, which often often fail due to unforeseen barriers.
This organizational difference explains why many Western companies until now often could become Lean, but failed to stay that way. Toyota turns out to be an organization in which everyone is a problem-solver, guided by a coach! Can we learn to climb a mountain in the fog like Toyota does, and perhaps even become better than they are in developing new Lean tools?
Read what we learned from this book. In addition, author Mike Rother reacts extensively to our findings!
> more
march 14, 2011: site section TPM
Heineken's cascade of performance indicators for focused improvement
^ The TPM program of Heineken was
implemented step by step
The Total Productive Maintenance Program (TPM) of Heineken started in 2003. Thanks to this program, all breweries produce increasingly more efficient and with fewer losses.
The factory in ‘s Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands is one of the best production sites, concerning TPM. Here, in recent years, the Overall Equipment Effectiveness of the packaging lines rose from 47 to 72%. In addition, productivity and quality are better then ever before! TPM-manager Age Posthuma explains this, by stressing three success factors: deployment, audits, and training.
Of course, additional improvement is always possible. ‘This can be achieved by connecting our external processes better with the operations within the brewery’, says Posthuma. ‘Examples of those external activities are supply chain processes and the introduction of new machines and products.’
> more*
*) to read this article free registration is needed (we will completely respect your privacy!)
Heineken's cascade of performance indicators for focused improvement
^ The TPM program of Heineken was
implemented step by step
The Total Productive Maintenance Program (TPM) of Heineken started in 2003. Thanks to this program, all breweries produce increasingly more efficient and with fewer losses.
The factory in ‘s Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands is one of the best production sites, concerning TPM. Here, in recent years, the Overall Equipment Effectiveness of the packaging lines rose from 47 to 72%. In addition, productivity and quality are better then ever before! TPM-manager Age Posthuma explains this, by stressing three success factors: deployment, audits, and training.
Of course, additional improvement is always possible. ‘This can be achieved by connecting our external processes better with the operations within the brewery’, says Posthuma. ‘Examples of those external activities are supply chain processes and the introduction of new machines and products.’
> more*
*) to read this article free registration is needed (we will completely respect your privacy!)
january 3, 2011: site section Lean Six Sigma
How to apply Lean Six Sigma in a holistic way, to increase your business speed and agility!
^ Author Mark George and cover "The Lean
Six Sigma Guide to Doing More with Less"
To reap the full business potential of Lean Six Sigma three things are needed:
> more
How to apply Lean Six Sigma in a holistic way, to increase your business speed and agility!
^ Author Mark George and cover "The Lean
Six Sigma Guide to Doing More with Less"
To reap the full business potential of Lean Six Sigma three things are needed:
- Alignment of all your improvement projects with the business strategy. Lean Six Sigma only works well if the right projects are selected.
- All improvement initiatives should be process oriented and holistic. Reducing costs locally doesn’t make sense when this leads to higher costs elsewhere. The aim should therefore be to increase the value creation of end-to-end processes. At best, this should also encompass your suppliers and distributors (extended enterprise principle).
- One of the best ways to lower the costs is to increase your enterprise speed, because this will make your company more agile and competitive.
> more
october 20, 2010: site section Lean
On the Mend: What can healthcare providers learn from the Lean Journey of ThedaCare?
^ Left: cover On the Mend, right: doctors and
nurses working on process improvement
During the last eight years, ThedaCare was transformed to a lean and patient-focused health organization, with respect for the work of the nurses and doctors, but with measurable and therefore sustainable results. This journey is decribed in the book On the mend – revolutionizing healthcare to save lives and transform the industry.
Not only the processes changed, but also the managers. The introduction of lean principles radically changed their role, which became increasingly humble and facilitating. What can we learn from the lean journey of ThedaCare?
> more
On the Mend: What can healthcare providers learn from the Lean Journey of ThedaCare?
^ Left: cover On the Mend, right: doctors and
nurses working on process improvement
During the last eight years, ThedaCare was transformed to a lean and patient-focused health organization, with respect for the work of the nurses and doctors, but with measurable and therefore sustainable results. This journey is decribed in the book On the mend – revolutionizing healthcare to save lives and transform the industry.
Not only the processes changed, but also the managers. The introduction of lean principles radically changed their role, which became increasingly humble and facilitating. What can we learn from the lean journey of ThedaCare?
> more
september 23, 2010: site section TOC
The power of cause and effect: Eliyahu Goldratt explains what happens when suppliers mistake the current spike in orders for real demand
^ Eliyahu Goldratt analyses the supply chain
of electronic consumer goods!
In his article The power of cause and effect no.2: the effects continue, Eliyahu Goldratt, the founder of the Theory Of Constraints, explains what happens when companies don't react to real market changes, but to (exaggerated) fluctuations in the amount of orders placed by what is only the next link in their supply chain.
Due to the economic recession, sales of electronic consumer goods dropped by as little as 2 to 3 percent at the end of 2008. However retailers, afraid to be left with inventory, decided to sell the goods on their shelves first, and therefore drastically reduced the amount of new orders in the first four months of 2009.This overreaction was passed on by the electronic consumer goods industry to their electronic components suppliers (link three in the supply chain), who faced an unprecedented drop in orders by 50%, Goldratt explains.
A kind of bull-whip effect, but in this case not driven by uncertainty but by fear! Around April 2009, the retailers regained their confidence in the market and started to increase the amount of orders, not only to meet customer demand, but also to replenish their stock. As a result, the next cycle of exaggeration and overreacting now threatens to begin: The electronic components suppliers can't keep up with the current spike in demand, and therefore they think they should invest in extra capacity. According to Goldratt, that is the worst thing they can do. In the end that will not only leave them with overcapacity, also the prizes for their products will drop. Read Goldratt's article below!.
> more
The power of cause and effect: Eliyahu Goldratt explains what happens when suppliers mistake the current spike in orders for real demand
^ Eliyahu Goldratt analyses the supply chain
of electronic consumer goods!
In his article The power of cause and effect no.2: the effects continue, Eliyahu Goldratt, the founder of the Theory Of Constraints, explains what happens when companies don't react to real market changes, but to (exaggerated) fluctuations in the amount of orders placed by what is only the next link in their supply chain.
Due to the economic recession, sales of electronic consumer goods dropped by as little as 2 to 3 percent at the end of 2008. However retailers, afraid to be left with inventory, decided to sell the goods on their shelves first, and therefore drastically reduced the amount of new orders in the first four months of 2009.This overreaction was passed on by the electronic consumer goods industry to their electronic components suppliers (link three in the supply chain), who faced an unprecedented drop in orders by 50%, Goldratt explains.
A kind of bull-whip effect, but in this case not driven by uncertainty but by fear! Around April 2009, the retailers regained their confidence in the market and started to increase the amount of orders, not only to meet customer demand, but also to replenish their stock. As a result, the next cycle of exaggeration and overreacting now threatens to begin: The electronic components suppliers can't keep up with the current spike in demand, and therefore they think they should invest in extra capacity. According to Goldratt, that is the worst thing they can do. In the end that will not only leave them with overcapacity, also the prizes for their products will drop. Read Goldratt's article below!.
> more
september 8, 2010: site section QRM
The power of accelerating supply chains: A review of It’s about time, including a discussion with author Rajan Suri
^ Rajan Suri and part of the cover of his book
In his new book “It’s about Time” Rajan Suri, founder of Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM), teaches us the basics of this improvement method. The first chapter explains why reducing lead times should be given first priority, or more exactly: why we should always try to shorten the Manufacturing Critical Path Time or MCT. Then, three chapters follow about how to reduce the MCT:
Therefore this new book is very suitable for people who want learn the basics of QRM. According to Suri, he wrote his new book for busy senior managers. Especially for this target group it is interesting that he added something new, an answer to what historically was one of the weakest points of QRM: How to make a business case!
> more
The power of accelerating supply chains: A review of It’s about time, including a discussion with author Rajan Suri
^ Rajan Suri and part of the cover of his book
In his new book “It’s about Time” Rajan Suri, founder of Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM), teaches us the basics of this improvement method. The first chapter explains why reducing lead times should be given first priority, or more exactly: why we should always try to shorten the Manufacturing Critical Path Time or MCT. Then, three chapters follow about how to reduce the MCT:
- Form Quick Response Cells for Focused Target Market Segments.
- Apply System Dynamics.
- Make this a Unified Strategy, which includes suppliers and customers.
Therefore this new book is very suitable for people who want learn the basics of QRM. According to Suri, he wrote his new book for busy senior managers. Especially for this target group it is interesting that he added something new, an answer to what historically was one of the weakest points of QRM: How to make a business case!
> more
august 23, 2010: site section Lean
Toyota returns to its roots: Listen, stop, think, improve
^ CEO Akio Toyoda: "My name is on every car"
The Toyota Production System (TPS) is the shining example of Lean Manufacturing, though it should be kept in mind that this system is tailored to the needs of Toyota, so that it can't be copied without adaption.
Recently, for the first time during its existence, the TPS became the target of serious criticism! The recalls by Toyota of more then eight million cars to replace floor mats and to adjust accelerator pedals, lead to many news reports like ‘Lean Fires Back’.
Do the recent recall-problems of Toyota really disqualify the famous Toyota Production System (TPS)? No, on the contrary, they are a sign that a revival of the TPS is requisite!
And precisely that seems what Toyota is doing today. They return to their roots: deep self reflection, listen to the customers’ voice to make increasingly better products, and, if any problems are observed: stop, think and make improvements.
In this article our extensive analysis, including a response by Toyota Motor Europe.
> more*
*) to read this article free registration is needed (we will respect your privacy)
[ articles 2013-2017 ]Toyota returns to its roots: Listen, stop, think, improve
^ CEO Akio Toyoda: "My name is on every car"
The Toyota Production System (TPS) is the shining example of Lean Manufacturing, though it should be kept in mind that this system is tailored to the needs of Toyota, so that it can't be copied without adaption.
Recently, for the first time during its existence, the TPS became the target of serious criticism! The recalls by Toyota of more then eight million cars to replace floor mats and to adjust accelerator pedals, lead to many news reports like ‘Lean Fires Back’.
Do the recent recall-problems of Toyota really disqualify the famous Toyota Production System (TPS)? No, on the contrary, they are a sign that a revival of the TPS is requisite!
And precisely that seems what Toyota is doing today. They return to their roots: deep self reflection, listen to the customers’ voice to make increasingly better products, and, if any problems are observed: stop, think and make improvements.
In this article our extensive analysis, including a response by Toyota Motor Europe.
> more*
*) to read this article free registration is needed (we will respect your privacy)
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