The Lean Toolbox Sixth Edition: A Sourcebook for Process Improvement by John Bicheno and Matthias Holweg is out. Published by Picsie Books on the very first days of January 2023, the new book counts 360 pages compared to the 342 pages of the previous edition and weighs 617 grams (1.36 pounds), gaining a little muscle … Continue reading The Lean Toolbox Sixth Edition: A Sourcebook for Process Improvement
Lean basics
Where exactly is Gemba?
Going to see buy oneself, at the Gemba, is a Lean commandement well received (understood?) by all those who went through a Lean initiation. Now laymen and beginners may ask: where exactly is Gemba? First let’s clarify the meaning of the word Gemba. For this I’ll quote an old acquaintance of mine, Michel Baudin who … Continue reading Where exactly is Gemba?
Mind awkward questions for your Gemba Walk
Gemba walks are a popular topic on Linkedin, Youtube or blogs. So are lists of questions to ask during such a tour. In one of such lists I spotted a question related to tools. The gemba walker is supposed to ask if the toolset is complete, in proper condition and the best available. In my … Continue reading Mind awkward questions for your Gemba Walk
Why ability to draw a VSM isn’t a skill
Sorry to disappoint the proud colored-belt bearers and the holders of one of the many certificates displayed on Linkedin, your bragged ability to draw a Value Stream Map (VSM) isn’t a true skill. When a Value Stream Map is drawn, the job is nothing but just started with a description of the current state. Anyone … Continue reading Why ability to draw a VSM isn’t a skill
Muri, mura, muda simply explained
Not familiar with Lean's all types of wastes (expressed in Japanese words)? Don't worry, in less than 6 minutes I walk you through Muri, Mura, Muda in a simple way. https://youtu.be/dbrMwhnJXrs
VSM tutorial: look for WIP and inventories first
Inventories and WIP are important levers to accelerate flow, but they're not alway properly documented in Value Stream Maps. Why take a closer look to WIPs and inventories? Inventories and WIP are tied capital, just waiting Inventories and WIP require handling, transportation, management... Inventories and WIP fill containers and space (surface, volume) The spreading of … Continue reading VSM tutorial: look for WIP and inventories first
What is Lean?
What is Lean? My short answer is "Lean is constantly achieving higher performance benefiting customers and stakeholders using just needed resources and everyone’s contribution". I crafted this definition taking the challenge of defining something in 15 words. You may like to compare this definition with the ones of James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones co-authors … Continue reading What is Lean?
Lockdown boosted 5S at home, or not?
Depending on each country, the lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic started on different dates and lasted for different durations. Yet the lockdown citizens experienced more or less the same in their homes. Especially in big cities where real estate prices are high and apartments cramped, being confined a longer time in cluttered spaces gives … Continue reading Lockdown boosted 5S at home, or not?
5S: How a mundane shadow board can avoid a catastrophe
Shadow boards are a common in 5S. They are used to nudge users to return shared tools to their storage place and ease the visual and from a distance recognition if the needed tool is available on the board or elsewhere. In aeronautical MRO, the equivalent cut out foam shadow board in drawers is one … Continue reading 5S: How a mundane shadow board can avoid a catastrophe
What exactly is a Subject Matter Expert?
A Subject Matter Expert (SME) is someone who has deep knowledge about a subject, a practical expertise gained by a huge number of repetition and/or extended time dealing with the subject. A Subject Matter Expert is not an expert in the academic sense, like a scholar who studied extensively a specific field. It is rather … Continue reading What exactly is a Subject Matter Expert?
Chris HOHMANN 