Lean definition trees
There are many tools in the Lean tool locker, we focus on the basics here. We need to see if we have a problem before we can discuss our actions. Set clear problem solving initiatives before standardizing the outcome.
Do we have a problem?
What should we measure?
Where are we going?
This is partially a critical path. The key to a lean organization is the Hoshin or policy deployment. Tell our team where we are going and cascade these objectives throughout the entire company.
After we cascade our objectives and KPI we can start to review and discuss. Operating reviews are an important part of a lean culture. Although these should not be problem solving meetings, they do provide an insight in to our current status (are we winning?) and what we are doing about it. It provides the route for information up and down the organization.
Problem solving takes many forms and we focus on one particular method - Practical Problem Solving, It focusses on each individual being able to solve their own problems quickly and cheaply. Even though we will walk through this section one by one the basics rely on our team being able to answer Where - What and Why
The definition of a problem is a deviation from standard. A solid countermeasure relates to a new or modified standard. Here we teach how to do so that our processes and individual contributors are able to clearly state What Should Be happening - The first question in PPS