Lean Six Sigma Bursts

In this episode, I discuss a project I'm really excited about, the 2nd book release in the Lean Six Sigma for Good book series.

This is the 2nd …

In this episode, I discuss two acronyms to help you remember ideas on how you can improve a process.

ECRS stands for Eliminate, Combine, Rearrange, and Simplify.

SPACER stands for Standardize, Parallel processing, …

In this episode, I discuss Action Priority (AP), a newer method for determining which risks from an FMEA should be addressed. Traditionally, the …

In this episode, I explain a new virtual coaching program I'm launching in January of 2023. 

If you or your team would be interested in completing …

In this episode, I explain what a "single-stall production system" means, and why it is superior to the traditional single piece flow assembly line.

Single-stall is a method of work where one highly skilled worker is …

In this episode, I read off an article I just wrote, based on my 20+ years of teaching Lean concepts and principles. These are the topics that get …

In this episode, I share the audio from a recent video I created. The short video highlights four different industry case studies applying Lean …

In this episode, I share the audio from a recent video I created. The short video highlights four different examples of nonprofits and NGOs applying Lean principles and concepts to social challenges in the local …

In this episode, I read off a recent article I wrote, breaking down the turnover data from the University of Iowa 2021 football season. I explain how …

In this episode, I read off an article I wrote back a few years, about how the 5S workplace organization methods compare to the popular home …

In this episode, I discuss how I helped someone select a key metric for their Six Sigma project, based on the opportunity to measure and …

In this episode, I discuss a way to help identify a potential Lean Six Sigma project out of a larger improvement project taking place. Selecting a project is one of the hardest things to complete for those pursuing a …

In this episode, I discuss how I applied the Theory of Constraints (TOC) to come up with additional improvement ideas for a bottleneck process at a client I am working with. Before we invest in more people or equipment …

In this episode, I discuss ways in which I've combined current event topics from the Iowa Hawkeyes sports teams with my data analysis and process improvement background. I explain a summary of 4 articles I have written, …

In this episode, I discuss a situation I encountered related to hiring new employees within a set period of time. Thinking about the problem in terms …

In this episode, I share the 7th and final module of the free "Lean at home" course, giving you a full example of a home improvement project. …

In this episode, I share the 6th module of the free "Lean at home" course, giving you ideas about how to error proof your home from mistakes, and …

In this episode, I share the 5th module of the free "Lean at home" course, helping you understand how to organize your home using the 5s method. I …

In this episode, I share the 4th module of the free "Lean at home" course, helping you learn about the 8 forms of waste, and how you can spot these …

In this episode, I share the 3rd module of the free "Lean at home" course, giving you ideas about what data to collect, and how to better understand …

In this episode, I share the 2nd module of the free "Lean at home" course, giving you ideas about which process at home you could select for your …

In this episode, I share the introductory module of the free "Lean at home" course, explaining why I made this course, and why it's a great starting …

In this episode, I talk about a useful matrix that helps you identify cross-training and skill development opportunities with your team or in your …

In this episode, I rant about the lack of effort some organizations put into their process improvement programs, and then are surprised that it …

In this episode, I read the book review I wrote about the book, "The Lean Dentist." It is based on the lean journey of Dr. Sami Bahri, DDS, who is an experienced dentist in Jacksonville, Florida. He has been an avid …

In this episode, I talk about the importance of collecting data in the very beginning before you start an improvement project or initiative. The …

In this episode, I talk about some other ways to identify waste and opportunity in your process and workday, specifically the tasks that you are not …

In this episode, I go on a little rant about books, and how I estimate there are a lot of unread books in people's homes and offices. I'm considering a challenge to get people to read some of their unread books, or get …

I was asked a question about how to get started applying Lean and Six Sigma to a non-manufacturing business. I thought about some key questions I …

During a recent coaching call with a client, we discussed applicability of statistical process control (SPC) and control charts (also called process …

After conducting a Lean 101 webinar for Lean Portland, we had some excellent questions from the attendees, so I thought I share my answers. The first question was looking for advice on how management can support their …

After conducting a Lean 101 webinar for Lean Portland, we had some excellent questions from the attendees, so I thought I share my answers. The first question was looking for advice on how to make their forms easier and …

After conducting a Lean 101 webinar for Lean Portland, we had some excellent questions from the attendees, so I thought I share my answers. The first question was looking for more explanation about batching vs one piece …

Project charters for improvement projects do not have solutions listed. Instead, they should explain the problem, the management support for this …

Developed by Genichi Taguchi, the Taguchi Loss Function is a graphical representation of how an increase in variation away from the target value (even within specification limits( leads to an exponential increase in …

When describing the methodology of a kaizen or kaikaku event, I often break it up into two main types:

• Working session - traditional approach where …

A common question I hear is "what if my company doesn't support process improvement?"

I share 4 main approaches you can take to deal with this …

I share my experience getting my first COVID-19 vaccine shot, and how I analyzed that process from a lean perspective. I found that there was only one second of value, compared to a process that took me over an hour to …

I was recently asked about the difference between PDCA and PDSA. I had heard some new information from another podcast, and dug into one of the references to learn more about it. In this episode, I read through a paper …

A recent Value Stream Mapping event was held virtually, and we received some positive feedback from the event attendees. I wanted to share some of the comments to show how process improvement helps much more than just …

Does your organization use a structured problem solving process, like DMAIC, 8D, or PDSA? If no, why not? I share my views on what challenges are …

Are you trying to decide how to select the best projects to work on, but have many stakeholders and customer needs to consider, and too many project …

I received a question today that I thought would be helpful to everyone: “Imagine you are getting ready to kick-off the value stream workshop and you …

When making improvements to a process, cost savings and avoidance is a common outcome that is estimated and reported. A common error is to combine …

One of the most impactful quality initiatives I was involved with was the creation and deployment of the Cost of Nonconformance (CoNC) report. It was …

In process improvement, there is a strong focus of data. But in order to analyze data for an improvement project, you need to know what type of data you have or need, so you can perform the correct analysis. I share the …

I saw a recent question in a forum, asking about the origin of the sample size of 30 data points. I decided to read you the response I gave, and make …

I share an article I wrote back in Dec 2013 about reducing or eliminating test or inspection steps using Six Sigma analysis methods of capability and …

I share an interview I did with Mark Graban about why I created this podcast. He included me in a new networking group called Lean Communicators. We are a group of podcasters that talk about Lean, and we meet about once …

Most people calculate the average when summarizing data, but what about the median? The median is not as sensitive to outliers and skewed data, and …

Do you see problems recur later after all the attention has gone away? That could be the Hawthorne Effect at work, which can create confusion on …

When I facilitate mapping events, after completing the current state map and before we create the future state map, I like to first walk the team through an ideal state discussion. I categorized these concepts and share …

Ground rules are an important element of running a successful process improvement event (called Kaizen Blitz or Kaikaku events). In this podcast, I …

During some recent travel, my wife and I ended up watching multiple episodes of "Bar Rescue." 

I've watched the show for many years, so I re-watched …

I discuss the Lean approach to writing a book, which is how I published my first 2.5 books. LeanPub.com allows you to write and publish your book for free and release similar to software, instead of one large batch like …

I discuss the internal Lean Six Sigma certification program I helped develop and implement at Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace), and why I …

If you've struggled to decide what improvement project to work on at work or for a certification project, check out this list of project or event …

I try to simplify some confusion about the 7 types of waste (or are there 14 types?), the 3 M's, and explain simpler ways to think about …

I finished writing an article about two sustainability certification programs that require continuous improvement, but don't give guidance on how to do that. I explain why I think Lean is the best method to adopt for …

I had a call this week helping out with a Black Belt project, and I was reminded about the Standardize-Do-Check-Act model that should be implemented …

I received two questions from Mark Graban about my first episode. He is a well-known Lean consultant with expertise in the healthcare industry, and …

During Lean and Six Sigma classes, I meet a lot of people who are good problem solvers already, and they mention that the topics are similar to how …

I share exciting news that we have digital access to Norman Bodek's past PRODUCTIVITY newsletters from 1980-1993. He lived in Vancouver, Washington (near Portland), but was moving to Japan permanently, and we have …

I discuss the simple visual management templates called SQDC (also called QDIP). These visuals help simplify the daily management for a process area, to quickly bring attention to areas that need help. A video of the …

I discuss the Lean at Home contest being run by Lean Portland. We are giving away $200 in prizes to those who submit an improvement project at home that was completed in the last 6 months. We also have a free online …

I explain what Pareto charts are, and why they should be used more often than they are. I also summarize an older article I wrote about changing the …

I explain how and when hypothesis tests can be used, based on a recent article I wrote, which looked at the racial inequities brought up by football players at the University of Iowa and the data that can support these …

I created a video that accompanies this quick explanation of DMAIC, which stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control. DMAIC is the core …

In this episode, I discuss the Influencer behavior change model, and how it applies to getting people to wear their masks to prevent the spread of …

In this episode, I answer a question I often receive about how to categorize financial cost savings from improvement, either hard or soft, and what …

In this first episode, I answer a question I received about salaries for Six Sigma Black Belts, and why I think they make good money.

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