Complementary to Six Sigma proess improvement, the Lean manufacturing processes established by Japanese manufacturers have also had a substantial positive impact on the quality of products and services throughout the globe.  Focused on eliminating waste throughout the production process, Lean principles reduce the time, labor and materials required efficiently produce your products and delivery your services.

Typically, when used as a stand-alone process, Lean follows five steps, as described the the Lean Enterprise Institute:

1. Identify Value
2. Map the Value Stream
3. Create Flow
4. Establish Pull
5. Seek Perfection

Most often, Cedar Point Consulting applies Lean principles and tools during Six Sigma projects that include the following:

• Quick Changeover (SMED)
• Kanban (Flow Pull)
• Total Productive Maintenance
• Kaizen
• 5-S (Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, Sustain)
• Error-Proofing (Poka Yoke)
• Value Stream Mapping
• Takt Time Optimization
• Theory of Constraints
• Andon Boarding

When practiced properly, Lean principles effectively minimize waste, improve product quality, increase customer satisfaction and positively impact the bottom line.  To learn more about how we apply Lean principles in our projects, contact our process improvement practice area.