Lean Six Sigma Archives - Page 4 of 9 - OLD Texas Lean Six Sigma OLD

Design of Experiments: A Case Study – Part 1

March 11, 2024January 21, 2022

Recently TMAC was providing coaching for a Black Belt working in the Analyze Phase of his project. He was trying to figure out how to increase the output for a manufacturing process. The company was in a sold-out position – demand exceeded supply. The process was production of glass fibers used in the manufacture of different types of insulation. The manufacture of glass fibers is a highly complex process. The BB determined additional capacity could result in a sales increase of over $1M.

2021 Year In Review

March 11, 2024January 14, 2022

The close of another year is a good time to look back and reflect. While 2021 has not had the drama and extremes experienced in 2020, I think it still qualifies as a roller coaster ride. The major business challenges experienced over the year include supply chain issues, inflation, labor shortages, and – oh yes … Read more

Uncovering the LSS-ISO Connection

March 11, 2024November 19, 2021

The majority of my career at TMAC has been focused on working with companies with the design and implementation of their ISO-based system. Over the past 16 years I have worked with approximately 150 companies in a wide variety of industries to get them registered to various standards, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, AS 9100, … Read more

Leveraging Industry 4.0 Technologies for Continuous Improvement Efforts

October 25, 2021

By this time, most of us are aware of what Industry 4.0 (I4.0) or Smart Manufacturing means. The basics are covered in a blog I wrote back in 2018 titled “Smart Manufacturing and Lean Six Sigma.” Just as with a Quality Management System or a Lean Enterprise, the journey towards a true digital enterprise, linking business … Read more

Practitioner Selection: Common Mistakes

March 11, 2024September 17, 2021

The game is tied. With only two seconds remaining, it comes down to one play, one decision to decide victory or defeat. You choose the player with great past results to get the most out of the current situation. He’s never let you down. He’s always present. He is a leader among his peers. He … Read more

Quick Wins: What are they and how to get them?

March 11, 2024August 13, 2021

How many times have you led a Team Launch in which team members begin to jump to solutions? This is a very common experience for most Lean Six Sigma practitioners. The recommended response is to explain to your team that LSS requires use of the DMAIC methodology. It is also important to let them know … Read more

Better Brainstorming

March 11, 2024July 29, 2021

In last month’s blog I shared examples of the often-overlooked lean principle of Creativity Before Capital. The non-lean approach is to spend money – buy new equipment, hire more staff, or work overtime. The lean approach is to embrace the ingenuity of staff in using existing equipment and employees to meet customer needs. In this month’s … Read more

Creativity Before Capital: An Overlooked Lean Principle

March 11, 2024June 28, 2021

Most Lean Six Sigma practitioners focus their improvement efforts on applying tried and true lean tools to eliminate waste such as Work Simplification, Process Balancing, Mistake Proofing, Visual Management, and 5S. All of these tools can be very effective, and they certainly have their place. Yet the application of such tools is often done in … Read more

What I Learned About Lean Six Sigma

June 4, 2024April 15, 2021

Author: Pat Boutier (Shingo Prize Winning Author, Certified TWI and Coach, and retired TMACer) Welcome to the Musings of a Retired LSS TMACer! I have had the privilege to learn, experiment, and work with Lean Six Sigma over the past 16 years. Over that time, I have learned much and wanted to share a few … Read more

Overcoming Bias (Presentation)

June 4, 2024March 29, 2021

A Core Skill for Effective Data Collection Program Manager and Master Black Belt Russ Aikman was a presenter at the 19th Annual Lean Six Sigma World Conference. The event was held virtually and provides advances learning for Lean Six Sigma practitioners. Below is the PowerPoint presentation used: Russ Aikman’s presentation from the 2021 Lean Six … Read more