Our process improvement strategy is founded on the Theory of Constraints where improvement initiatives are supported by lean and six sigma tools. Process disruptions affecting flow and task execution all contribute to variance and the efforts to eliminate or reduce them are evidenced by increased stability, increased throughput over time, and increased profits.
So, our main goal in production is to improve flow by focusing our efforts to reduce and eliminate variation in our processes. This is also the message behind our previous two posts, OEE in an Imperfect World and Variation: OEE’s Silent Partner. The effects of our actions will be reflected by the metrics we have chosen to measure our performance.
The following videos further the cause for the Theory of Constraints and Improving Flow:
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants by Dr. Eliyahu M. Goldratt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3RPFUh3ePQ
The following video discusses “What to Change?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrA-onO0Nc&NR=1
Stories can be the best teachers and when the topic is manufacturing, production, or operations, I highly recommend “The Goal”, an industry standard, and the recently released “Velocity“. Both novels present an all too common manufacturing dilemma – resource capacity and scheduling constraints – to teach the Theory of Constraints. Velocity is a continuation of The Goal and expands the discussion to include Lean and Six Sigma.
For additional resources and reading recommendations, visit our Book Page.
The message is simple: Change drives Change. What are your thoughts?
Until Next Time – STAY lean!
Vergence Analytics
Twitter: @Versalytics
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