JavaFX-12.0.1

With the recent release of Java Development Kit 12 (JDK 12), it’s time to upgrade to JavaFX-12.0.1 as well. JavaFX is now managed and released as it’s own independent entity and is not shipped as part of the Java Development Kit. If you are new to Java and JavaFX, visit Getting Started with JavaFX 12 to install and test the […]

Lean Code and Comments

When I learned to program, hardware and storage were scarce. It is imperative for the code to be tight and the speed of execution is and remains a first and foremost concern. Achieving this isn’t always easy and often requires some very sophisticated programming techniques. If there was ever a time or place to demand comments, a clever or complicated […]

Karakuri is Lean

Karakuri is a mechanism that uses gravity, springs, and gears instead of external power sources to manipulate objects as a means to “save energy”, and is a key element of Kaizen that when put into practice, can translate into significant productivity and efficiency gains including: Eliminate overwork Eliminate waste Eliminate uneven workflow Improve safety Improve quality Improve productivity Improve maintenance […]

Lean – Have it Your Way

It’s easy to determine whether the leadership of a company truly embraces lean thinking.  One of the more frustrating “tells” is the insistence of leadership to precisely follow the path others have taken. The underlying notion of achieving the same or similar results may be appealing but it does not address why the specific path or methodology was chosen by […]

Lean Is NOT A Legacy

Lean can be summarily defined as “The pursuit of perfection (value) through the relentless elimination of waste.”  Understanding what this actually looks like in the real world is an entirely different matter. The 8 wastes (technically 7) and the tools to continually strive to eliminate them are well documented.  Why is it then that companies still find themselves struggling to […]

Python DoWhy

Microsoft’s DoWhy Library for Python greatly simplifies the task of estimating causal effects.  If you or someone you know is involved in data analysis, it is worth your while to see what DoWhy can do for you. I have spent a little time working with the library and although I have no coding examples at this time, the powerful nature […]

Excel Resources

I recently discovered a website titled “Excel Off The Grid” while doing some research for one of our projects.  The post I read was well written, succinct, and the examples were easy to follow.  Although our application required a little more depth, the information presented would be more than sufficient for most people wanting to use the features as discussed. […]