Kaikaku: Radical Process Improvement

Kaikaku: Radical Process Improvement

Kaikaku, also known as “radical change,” is a Japanese term that describes a philosophy of continuous improvement in which organizations strive to make dramatic, transformative changes to their processes to achieve greater efficiency, effectiveness, and...
Color Me Organized

Color Me Organized

There’s been some talk at some of my clients lately about labeling – whether it’s necessary, or just another way to slow down production.  (I know, some of you are beyond this stage, but it might be helpful for those who are still deciding whether to implement or...
Pokayoke

Pokayoke

The Toyota Production System formalized a lot of concepts and terms, including the term Poka-yoke. Translated from Japanese it means mistake-proofing or avoid (yokeru) mistakes (poka) and is any mechanism in Lean manufacturing that helps floor workers using equipment...
Most Common FMEA Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Most Common FMEA Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a disciplined approach for determining potential failure modes and the effects they may have on design, process, and system. It is an excellent analysis tool, however, like all systems, mistakes can be made easily enough....