Lean Management Dictionary - Work organisation and flow in Lean: 5S, Kanban and SMED in practice
Why does workplace tidiness matter? 5S is a method of workplace organisation that includes: Selection, Systematics, Cleaning, Standardisation and Self-discipline. It ensures that every tool and material has its place, increasing efficiency and reducing waste (Muda). Example: shadow board - a missing tool can be seen immediately. How does Poka-Yoke work? Poka-Yoke is a system for preventing errors by designing a process or tool in such a way that [...]
MUDA - how many of these losses are there in the end?
Table of contents Imagine paying for something that gives no value to your customers. Sounds like throwing money down the drain, doesn't it? In the world of Lean Management (also known as the Toyota Production System), this is what we call waste - „muda” in Japanese. Waste is all the activities that consume your resources but do not create value for the customer. When [...]
5S - What can go wrong?
Table of contents The well-known Japanese 5S method is an effective way to improve work organisation, safety and productivity. However, even the best-planned implementation can fail if common mistakes are made. What are the most common pitfalls when implementing 5S and how to avoid them? Below you will find practical tips based on our many years of experience. Why is error analysis crucial? [...]