Lean Center of Excellence Blog Articles

Learn how limiting WIP improves throughput, stabilizes quality, and how flexible labor helps sustain flow in modern manufacturing.

Learn how flexible labor capacity eliminates inefficiency, stabilizes flow, and completes the Lean framework by aligning labor capacity with real-time demand.

With its ability to provide real-time visibility, enhanced communication, and support data-driven decision-making, the HbH is an invaluable asset.

In this blog post, we will delve into the importance of sustaining the 6S method and provide you with tips to maintain the gains achieved

Originating from the Toyota Production System, this problem-solving technique has been widely adopted in various industries and organizations worldwide.

The effect of economies of scale is the principle behind the “learning curve effect” and the strategic value of gaining market share.

Completing a Five Times Why is more difficult than it seems. In this blog we’ll some specific do’s and don’ts that will accelerate your learning.

In this blog, we'll explain why the current lean paradigm is about to drastically change, leading to an expansion of just-in-time.

In this article, you’ll learn what transaction costs are, how Lean helps reduce transaction costs, and how you can use this knowledge to make improvements to profitability now.

Learn why the six ideals are so important, how to implement them, and how they can help you unlock deep thinking about process improvement.

In this article, you will learn how to understand a value stream map, how to create your own, and how to use a value stream map to improve your operations.

In this article, you’ll learn a brief history of piecework, how it relates to Lean, and how to know whether you should implement piecework.

In this blog, we’ll provide a solution to a common problem across all industries: insufficient standardization, leading to quality issues and inconsistent throughput rates.

Learn what kaizen is, how kaizen thinking benefits your operations, and how to conduct your own kaizen events.

Learn why most businesses can’t sustain 5S and what you can do to be certain your 5S event is repeatable and sustainable.

Learn what andon systems are, how to pick which is right for you, and why you should be using one in your manufacturing facility.

It’s not enough to understand Lean. The hard part is changing your behaviors, especially in times of crisis when old habits will try to take over.

In this article, you’ll learn what pull production systems are, how to implement and manage a pull production system, and how to get the most out of them.

In this article, you’ll learn what visual management is and how it can benefit your operations. You’ll see examples of visual management in action and learn how you can implement it in your own facilities.

Learn what the parts of 5S are, what they mean, and how you can use the 5S methodology to set a strong foundation for future operational improvements.

In this article, you’ll learn what poka-yoke is, how it’s used, and what benefits your business could see from using this tool.

The lean supply chain is not the culprit for our supply chain woes in 2020 and 2021. Lean thinking will soon be even more useful as reshoring accelerates.

In this article, you’ll learn what kanban is, how it works, whether it’s right for you, and what you need to get started.

The Lean Six Sigma management method combines two separate methodologies to amplify outcomes by leveraging the synergies between each method.

Implementing heijunka to level your production is a longstanding approach to manufacturing. However, it can bog down your business when it is used as a self-imposed, artificial constraint on production.

Kanban is a mainstay of Lean, and drum-buffer-rope originated from the Theory of Constraints. We compared the two so you can decide which is right for you.

Break bottlenecks with this primer on the Theory of Constraints, plus how you can apply it to manufacturing and logistics.

In today’s world, Lean is being challenged as never before due to higher customer requirements and the digital revolution of Industry 4.0.

This article will clear up what Lean is, what Lean manufacturing is, and how it can be applied to your business for powerful results.

If your production facility or shop floor is struggling to maintain consistent results or reach productivity targets, then it’s time to step back and consider taking a more basic approach and cleaning up your facility.