Operations managementLesson 3 of 3 in the course Problem Solving and Need Recognition Techniques

Lean Process Improvement: Problem Solving, Flow, and Value

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Lean process is a systematic way to improve how work is done while reducing waste and unused resources. Although lean methods have roots in manufacturing and large corporations, entrepreneurs can use them to refine products, services, and operations as customer needs and markets change.

Lean process is a systematic method for maximizing continuous improvement while minimizing surplus or unused materials and effort in producing a product or delivering a service. Lean is not limited to factory production. It can be applied to any process in which people, resources, and steps work together to create value.

All flashcards

Lean process
A systematic approach to continuous improvement that minimizes unused resources while creating value.
Continuous improvement
An ongoing effort to improve effectiveness, reduce waste, and increase customer value.
Value stream
The connected processing steps used to make a product.
Whiteboarding
A visual process-mapping method that uses steps and arrows to show how work flows.
Evaluation phase
The phase in which a team assesses outcomes and whether a change can be maintained.

Quiz questions

  1. Which sequence describes the core approach of Six Sigma?Answer: Define, measure, analyze, improve, and control a process.
  2. What does genchi genbutsu ask a problem-solving team to do?Answer: Go to the source and confirm conditions through direct observation.
  3. Why should a team investigate root causes before choosing a countermeasure?Answer: A countermeasure aimed only at a symptom may leave the underlying problem in place.
  4. Why standardize a successful process improvement?Answer: To make the reliable change part of regular work and help maintain it.
  5. During assessment, what is a prototype primarily used to do?Answer: Give a customer a concrete version of an idea to evaluate.

Based on Entrepreneurship by Michael Laverty, Chris Littel (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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