Lean Operating Systems

Today we were introduced to a successful example of lean operating systems implementation through our case study at the end of Collier and Evans (2015) chapter 17. The videos below are helpful supplements to our reading, highlighting some of lean's key concepts. We'll put these concepts to work in class next week. We'll also apply them in case study, part 3.

An introduction to lean.

This next video captures Collier and Evan's (2015) four principles of lean, but in a slightly different way.

And now a review of the seven types of waste. Note that the narrator adds an eighth type. This video does a particularly good job applying lean to service environments.

Finally, this video highlights some additional lean concepts not captured in today's case study, but that are critical to lean operations. Can you identify the concepts and tools we've discussed earlier in the semester?

Reference

Collier, D.A. & Evans, J.R. (2015). OM5. Boston: Cengage Learning.

Pareto Charts & Fish Bone Diagrams

Xia makes an important connection in today's discussion board between Pareto charts and cause-and-effect (or fish bone) diagrams. She proposes that fish bone diagrams can be used to dig into the top problem(s) identified in a Pareto chart for the purpose of conducting root cause analysis. This is absolutely correct. The combination of Pareto charts and fish bone diagrams is a powerful quality assurance tool.

This video from Jay Arthur (author of Lean Six Sigma Demystified) connects Pareto charts and fish bone diagrams, and succinctly explains how the "5 whys" can be used to complete the cause-and-effect chart.

Process Mapping

Process mapping is an important tool in process design and process improvement. One critical aspect of process improvement is identifying valued-added activities and waste. Waiting time is always a form of waste (we'll talk about this more in our lean module in the coming weeks). We can identify waste in a process by taking process mapping a step further using value stream mapping. Take a look at this video for a helpful introduction to value stream mapping.

Several of your process maps included a number of different parties participating in the process. Xia's map of the "fulfillment by Amazon" (FBA) process is a good example. Sometimes we want to have a clear picture of who's responsible for what step of the process and when. We do this using a swim lane diagram. The approvals swim lane diagram below uses all of the flow charting symbols we used in today's project, but organizes them by responsible party using "swim lanes".

Source: Paul Kerr, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain

This next video provides a helpful tutorial on how to get started with a swim lane diagram. 

How might you use this tutorial to convert Xia's FBA process map into a swim lane diagram?

The Wedding Wagon

Collier & Evans (2015) characterize four basic process types: project, job shop, flow shop, and continuous flow. How would you classify this process, and where would you place it on their service positioning matrix. How might that be different from more traditional wedding planning?




Reference: Collier, D.A. & Evans, J.R (2015). OM5. Boston: Cengage Learning.

How to Create a Productive Office Space

View image | gettyimages.com

Here's a useful article covering the basics of office space design. Check it out and enjoy: How to Create a Productive Office Space