Page 157 - How To Implement Lean Manufacturing

CHAPTER 8

How to Implement Lean—

The Prescription for the

Lean Project

n this chapter, we will describe how the vari-
ous evaluations will create a comprehensive
“Failing to plan … is just
Ilist of action items that can then be turned into
a project for completion. This is the implementa- planning to fail. ”
tion plan. Unknown

An Overview on How to Implement Lean
The implementation of our Lean initiative is outlined here for ease of understanding.
It will be managed and executed like any large project. The action items for this project
will be compiled from two sources. The first set of data is gathered from the “systemwide
evaluations,” while the second portion will be from the “specific value stream evalua-
tion.” Both sets of evaluations will be compiled, prioritized, and lead to action items:
kaizen activities. Together, in an eight-step process, all the evaluations and action items
will be included in our plan and documented on some type of project documentation,
whatever you are most comfortable with. We normally use a standard Gantt chart. This
is THE PRESCRIPTION on how to implement the Lean project.

Steps 1–3: Systemwide Evaluations and Action Items
1. Assess the three fundamental issues to cultural change.
2. Complete a systemwide evaluation of the present manufacturing system
outlined in Chap. 19.
a. The Five Tests of Management Commitment to Lean Manufacturing.
b. The Ten Most Common Reasons Lean Initiatives Fail.
c. The Five Precursors to Implementing a Lean Initiative.
d. Process Maturity.
3. Perform an educational evaluation of the workforce.

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