Value chain vs. value stream: In Integrated Enterprise Excellence (IEE), an IEE value chain describes what an organization does and how it measures what is done from a high-level process-output response (i.e., 30,000-foot-level) point of view; a value stream map (VSM) describes work flow for functions in the IEE value chain.
Value Chain vs. Value Stream Read More »
Have you ever seen a person or an organization doing whatever it takes to achieve their measurement goals, even if their success would be detrimental to another department or the business as a whole? Most of us have observed or experienced this form of behavior. This conduct is an unintended consequence of the traditional methods for creating performance metrics in an organization. This article discusses how IEE’s non-silo metrics and improvement efforts provide a guiding light for organizations to bridge functional boundaries and move toward achievement of the three R’s of business.
Breaking Down Silos at Work and Make Collaboration Happen Read More »
In a professional career spanning over a quarter century, Forrest Breyfogle has established himself as a leading edge thinker, a prolific author, an innovative consultant, a world-class educator, and a successful business executive. He has authored or co-authored 13 books. He recently completed a five-book set, Integrated Enterprise Excellence, that provides radical management advancements in the utilization and integration of scorecards, strategic planning, and process improvement. Mr. Breyfogle was named Quality Professional of the Year for 2011 by Quality Magazine. He also received the prestigious Crosby Medal from the American Society for Quality (ASQ) in 2004 for an earlier book, Implementing Six Sigma, 2nd ed. Forrest is currently located in Austin, Texas where he founded Smarter Solutions, Inc. in 1992. *YouTube video, requires appropriate plugins.
Forrest Breyfogle – Keynote Speaker Excerpt Read More »
The following lean six sigma cost savings case study example can provide some thoughts relative to cost practices for lean Six Sigma improvement projects. One of my past students called this week with help estimating the savings for a project that reduced the number of re-runs of a test protocol. The retests were due to
Lean Six Sigma Cost Savings Case Study Example Read More »
Organizations need to minimize the risk of quality, delivery, and design problems with their offerings. Entities need to be measurable, auditable, sustainable, and consistent; however, if care is not exercised, executives, operations personnel, and quality departments can be making inappropriate decisions that lead to problems and/or excessive costs. Metrics and their wise application can help mitigate these risks. Risks are mitigated through two primary methods; eliminate the risk through structural or procedural changes, or create a reporting structure that is able to identify performance changes before there is a risk of impacting a customer or client. This article is about the tools and methods to introduce a reporting structure that allows a business to identify and mitigate risk before it impacts the bottom line.
Next Generation Improving Key Performance Indicators Reporting Method Read More »
The toughest challenge many six sigma leaders face is getting buy-in. A plant is working at 105%; a business is quite profitable–how do you get that plant manager or business leader to consider using six sigma as a tool to do even better. Like it or not, there are politics to ideas in every organization. Good ideas, like six sigma, don’t sell themselves. Instead, you have to advocate for them. In this webinar, John Daly, author of Advocacy: Championing Ideas and Influencing Others, will describe some of the key skills of great advocates. You’ll learn very specific tactics for more effectively influencing others in conversations and meetings.
Selling Your Ideas: Learning the skills to be a great advocate Read More »
Hoshin kanri, also called hoshin planning or policy deployment, is a technique that can establish a structure for implementing executive-defined strategies. However, the wording of strategic statements can lead to executions that are very team dependent. In addition, these statements can also lead to activities that are not healthy for the organization as a whole. In this article, Forrest Breyfogle will show how creating and executing strategic planning statements also can contribute to a company’s decline.
Enhanced Hoshin Strategic Planning Process Read More »
The Wall Street Journal had an article this weekend titled “When Risk is a Red-Meat Issue” by Carl Bialik on March 23, 2012. This may be behind the WSJ pay wall, but if you can read it, please do. The article starts with a study that concluded that eating one serving of red meat per
Relative vs. Absolute percentages Read More »
Lean Six Sigma is a well accepted business improvement methodology, but when you read about companies that have introduced Lean Six Sigma (LSS), the results are not always consistent. There are as many examples of success as there are of failure. Many studies on the impact of LSS show three key characteristics that are correlated with success: leadership support from the top levels of the company, high-potential employees provided LSS training, and the LSS methodology being used. From the outside, nearly all Lean Six Sigma programs and methods appear the same; they use DMAIC and they may provide a certification. All LSS methodologies are not the same, not by a long shot. The article discusses how the Smarter Solutions’ Lean Six Sigma roadmap and methodology provide students the highest probability of success in solving their project in a short period of time.
Described are items that should be considered when re introducing Lean Six Sigma methodology (LSS methodology) into an organization; however what is described would also apply to the initial adoption of LSS practices into a company that has existing Black Belt-trained employees that could be involved in the LSS deployment.
Re Introducing Lean Six Sigma Methodology Into A Business: Lessons Learned Read More »
