The Simply Lean Pocket Guide Making Great Organizations Better Through Plan-do-check-act (PDCA) Kaizen Activities

The most basic premise of Lean is to simply and effectively problem solve. The Simply Lean Pocket Guide is a step-by-step approach to the implementation of process improvements using the PDCA model with a Lean twist. If you are just beginning to adopt Lean or Six Sigma as a business improvement model, whether you are in the healthcare, financial services, construction, armed services, manufacturing, public administration, logistics, service, or construction industry, the first thing that should be acknowledged is that the solution to the problem (or improvement target that is to be reached) will be found in the intellect of the people who are working the process. Therefore, as a trainer, consultant (internal or external), or departmental head, the focus to improve a situation would be to somehow work with that group (and their intellect) and find a solution. However, that somehow is not always easy to attain and will require some guidance along the way. Simply Lean will provide that guidance ensuring root causes and wastes are eliminated in creating a Leaner, problem-free process. This book will assist teams and individuals to: 1. Collect the right data, in the right way, to support Lean or Six Sigma projects 2. Meet effectively to maximize organizational resources 3. Brainstorm to solicit best ideas 4. Obtain a consensus to solve problems and determine solutions 5. Determine root cause(s) 6. Standardize improvements 7. Think outside the box 8. Accept change 9. Work to attain process perfection The tools of Effective Teams, Effective Meetings, Problem Identification, Data Collection (Data Check Sheet), Pareto Chart, Brainstorming, Fishbone (Cause and Effect) Diagram, Process Mapping, 5 Why Analysis, Accepting Change, Countermeasure Kaizen Log, Failure Prevention Analysis, Training Plan, Gantt Chart, Impact Map, Run Chart, Standard Work, Performance Measurements, and Yokoten will be explained in step-by-step detail as well as through application in the Tinker Town case study. Additional tools of 5S, Continuous Flow, Mistake Proofing, Visual Controls, Standard Work, Takt Time, Pitch, Work Load Balancing, and Just-In-Time are explained as to their application in the Tinker Town case study. As a bonus, a Waste Audit, larger examples of the forms and worksheets, Idea Kaizen Forms, Glossary, and Index are included!

Don Tapping has worked over twenty-five years to eliminate waste and improve bottom-line results. Tapping authored the best selling book, Value Stream Management for the Lean Office (Productivity Press 2003), Who Hollered Fore?, and numerous other books on business performance - setting the bar for administrative Lean improvements. He continues to enlighten organizations with his ability to design step-by-step implementation methodologies identifying processes that require improvement, and then introducing proactive steps to improve or redesign them reducing costs, boosting performance, and increasing customer satisfaction. Don has a B.A. from The University of Michigan and an MBA from The University of Notre Dame.