11/15/2023 0 Comments Production processes definition![]() ![]() With a solution such as the Lean Production Building Kit System from item, transport trolleys, shelves and other factory equipment for lean processes can be created in just a few simple steps. Definitions and explanations of lean production often lose sight of this aspect. This illustrates that changes made autonomously by employees are very much part of the continuous improvement process. If it turns out that the conjecture is correct, the corresponding optimisation measure then becomes the standard. Using the PDCA cycle involves formulating a hypothesis and putting it to the test. ![]() Above all, it comes down to a hands-on mentality and an experimental approach. It consists of four steps: Plan, Do, Check and Act. The repeated PDCA cycle is key to the continuous improvement process. The difference between Kaizen and CIP is therefore that Kaizen is a fundamental attitude, whereas CIP is a concrete methodology of lean production. The Kaizen philosophy, which has long since been part of the standard production repertoire, lives on today all round the globe in the form of the continuous improvement process (CIP). As Swedish manager Jan Carlzon put it in a nutshell: “You cannot improve one thing by 1000 percent but you can improve 1000 little things by 1 percent.” What’s the difference between Kaizen and CIP? Moreover, all parts of a process are relevant. This can also be understood within the context of a positive error culture in a company. Consequently, it is never possible to be truly satisfied with what has been achieved – there is always a goal to be pursued further. Kaizen is made up of the Japanese words for “change” (Kai) and “for good” (Zen), which suggests that improvement is a never-ending process. The basic philosophy of lean production is one of continuous improvement, which is based on the traditional Japanese concept of “Kaizen”. However, the term “lean manufacturing”, which is also common, is merely a synonym for lean production. There are also specialist disciplines – lean administration and lean accounting – that aim to optimise processes in these areas. It’s important to note, however, that lean management emerged from lean production – and not the other way round. This is why lean management has also been a business management principle for many years now. ![]() This is true to some extent, since lean management takes account of the entire organisation with a view to holistic optimisation processes. It’s not uncommon to read that lean production is a subdomain of lean management. It’s important to note that lean management emerged from lean production – and not the other way round. However, before the publication of the MIT study, the Western world had scarcely paid any attention to the Toyota Production System that had been developed in the 1950s. The authors of what is commonly referred to as the “MIT study” used the term “lean production” to describe the Toyota Production System, which had led to a spectacular boom for Toyota and other companies in the Japanese automotive industry. The actual term “lean production” is attributable to the reference book called “The Machine That Changed the World: The Story of Lean Production” (1990) by James P. Our white paper provides a concise introduction.ĭOWNLOAD NOW The lean production concept – what it means and the story behind it Less waste and more added value – lean production methods let you make targeted improvements to your production efficiency. Which customer wouldn’t want short and reliable delivery times? Ultimately, sales also rise, meaning that more products need to be manufactured – so instead of cutting jobs, companies actually need to take on additional staff. Cutting throughput times means more and more customer orders and, as a result, bigger market shares, too. Definitions like this give the wrong impression, because lean production is in fact a growth strategy. However, anybody looking online for a definition of lean production will also come across claims that lean production is all about managers making job cuts. Other associated benefits include high product quality, low costs and dedicated flexibility. Fundamentally, throughput times and productivity are very closely linked – companies that succeed in reducing throughput times also see their productivity increase. Throughput refers not only to production itself – it also includes idle periods in between individual processes or during storage, for example. The aim is to reduce throughput times in production. Lean production is a philosophy of continuous improvement. Whether you’re looking for a basic introduction to lean production or want to refresh your memory – this easy-to-follow explanation will tell you what you need to know. ![]()
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