In the world of business improvement and lean management, “Gemba” is more than just a buzzword—it’s a philosophy. Gemba, a Japanese term that translates to “the real place,” refers to the actual location where work happens and value is created. Whether it’s a factory...
In science and engineering, we use accuracy and precision to assess the reliability of measurements. However, people often misunderstand or confuse these terms. Accuracy and precision represent distinct concepts, despite their common misuse. This article will explore...
Poka Yoke is a Japanese term that means “mistake-proofing.” It refers to mechanisms used in lean manufacturing processes to help prevent mistakes from occurring, thus ensuring high-quality production and reducing defects. Introduced by Shigeo Shingo in the...
Kanban, a Japanese word meaning “visual card” or “signboard,” is a method used in lean production systems. It originated in the Toyota Production System (TPS) as a way to manage work and inventory efficiently, ensuring smooth production and...
Table of contents When companies have the wrong KPIs, or worse, no KPIs… I’m going to “clue you in” on the Root Cause of most Failures Aiming at fuzzy target(s) No target(s) (or not knowing that there is a target) Aiming at the wrong target(s) Trying to Aim at...