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Su Time mastery now potete leggere un articolo dal titolo: "What is lean manufacturing".

Questa è la versione tradotta in italiano con il traduttore automatico di Google.

What is lean manufacturing, and why is it important? The short answer is: the lean manufacturing process is an integrated method of reducing waste of any sort. It could be a waste of time or material, it is still waste.

Many studies have measured the amount of waste a typical manufacturer has, and it is usually shocking, as well as revealing.

Changing a business culture requires a total commitment and a great deal of effort. Adding banners and slogans, or dabbling in one or another program will never work. Implementing the lean manufacturing process is like adding spokes to a wheel, so the wagon can roll.

What is lean manufacturing and how to integrate the process
First you must understand the big picture, then you can make a strategy to implement lean manufacturing as a process. You must avoid the mistake of piecemealing your program together with related, but disconnected techniques.

4 components of the lean process
5S
Using Kaizen
Six Sigma
Value Stream

Implementing 5S
Probably one of the easiest lean manufacturing processes to implement. It gets everyones attention, provides immediate benefits and “makes sense” to almost anyone. Be careful though, you might be tempted to use this at home!

Using Kaizen
The Toyota car company is famous for developing this program of continuous improvement. The general concept is for each person within a group or company to continuously examine their work and strive to improve in small increments. A popular approach is to use what are called Mini-Kaizens. These are compared to the raindrops that add up to make a flood.

Using Six Sigma
Six sigma is a methodology used to monitor progress, or lack thereof. It is one thing to make a good beginning, but you need a way to measure the actual results, in order to make permanent progress and continuously improve.

Value Stream Mapping
Learn how to identify those areas that are producing waste and develop a map to improve, using lean manufacturing methods. Once learned, this becomes an internal process that changes the work environment permanently.

What is lean manufacturing and how to begin
Everyone in the organization will require significant training. Because the lean manufacturing process is a major commitment, you must have a comprehensive strategy that includes everyone, from top management to the custodian.

A step by step approach will lead you to your plan, depending on your specific needs. These 6 steps can give you an idea of how to implement lean manufacturing.

Decide what you want to accomplish, determine your priorities, and find which lean manufacturing processes apply
Categorize your people into groups according to similar training needs
Make a chart, or matrix of your programs
Decide whether you will hire an consultant or do it in-house
Develop a time frame or schedule according to work area or personnel
Make an immediate schedule and get started now!

If you are serious about using the lean process in your business (you should be!), I highly recommend the Lean Manufacturing web-based training course. You can begin simply and advance as you need to. You will gain a complete understanding of 5S, Six sigma, Value Stream Mapping, and much, much more.