Lean Six Sigma Bursts

In a recent class I taught, we were discussing the Project Charter, which asks you to fill in the baseline data for the metric you're trying to improve.

I explain how you need to be persistent to find data, and not to start a project if you don't have any data, especially for a training class, or for your first project.

I also answer a student question about how many samples you need for the baseline. You can also listen to a previous podcast (episode #25) about why we need 30 data points: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/VAoKfXBelJb

If you're interested in taking a Lean, Green Belt or Black Belt course, consider these self-paced affordable courses from OpEx Training: ⁠https://www.leansixsigmadefinition.com/shop/⁠

In this podcast, I share a short clip from a recent training class, explaining the benefits of Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training to an organization, but more importantly, why it's important to the people attending the clas personally.

If you're interested in taking a Lean, Green Belt or Black Belt course, consider these self-paced affordable courses from OpEx Training: https://www.leansixsigmadefinition.com/shop/

In episode 101, I share an interview clip from John Barnett, former Boeing Quality Manager, as he discusses the culture of quality that might explain the recent airline issues. He was found dead while he was giving a deposition about his former company, but I don't go into those details. I wanted to share my insights about a comment he made that inspection is non-value added, and how I think it has been misunderstood.

Inspection is non-value added, but that doesn't mean you stop inspecting. You need to remove the causes for the inspection before you can even consider removing or reducing inspection or test.

Links

In episode 100, I share a segment of a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training course I conducted, where I went into details about the Fishbone Diagram and the 6 M's, and I thought you might find it useful.

When you are trying to uncover possible causes of a problem, using the 6 M's with a Fishbone Diagram is a great way to enhance your team brainstorming, and methodically narrow down the causes through a process of elimination.

I've also posted a video of the slides I presented, if you want to see the graphics and gain more insights from what I shared.

Links

In episode 97, we released an excerpt by Elisabeth Swan from

This is an excerpt from the audiobook version Volume 1.

I share the story of running a small nonprofit organization in Portland, called Recycling Advocates (now called Waste-free Advocates). We created a fundraiser conference called Zero Waste Conference, to promote the reduction of items going to the landfill.

I was able to incorporate some Lean and Six Sigma principles to the event planning to prevent issues like parking confusion, sign-in delays, seating charts, predicting show up rates, and much more. The entire chapter requires the purchase of the book, but remember that the proceeds from the book sales supports the nonprofit organizations selected by each of the 8 chapter authors.

Links

In this podcast, I expand on Podcast #96, where I talked about the questions to consider in a training and coaching program.

I go through 6 different case studies of customized training and coaching programs I've helped develop with clients to meet their specific needs, and how the payback on training is often as short as a few months!

If you'd like to get a quote for some training options, ⁠fill out this training request form⁠, and we'll be in touch, or contact me at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Links

This is an excerpt from the audiobook version of "Lean Six Sigma for Good: Lessons from the Gemba (Volume 2)"
Elisabeth Swan shares the story of volunteering with the Cape Cod Childcare Development nonprofit organization. She discusses getting a call from the CEO to help the organization utilize more Lean Six Sigma Green Belt skills and methods within the organization.
In one of the examples highlighted in her chapter, she shares how they reviewed their expenses and processes, and managed to update the ordering process, consolidate vendors, reduce the number of steps involved in getting supplies to the people who needed them, all while ensuring the Finance Department received the right info to pay the bills. The savings from the monthly cellphone bill, combined with switching to a new vendor, was enough to afford the mortgage for the building to house the new Head Start program.
Proceeds from the book purchase supports the nonprofit organizations selected by each of the 8 chapter authors.

Links

When I talk to clients about training their team, that usually opens up a lot of questions in my mind that we'll need to discuss before I can give them a ballpark number quote.

In this podcast, I run through the questions you need to consider in order to create an effective training program that will result in hands-on application and payback on the investment, while keeping the costs minimal.

If you'd like to get a quote for some training options, fill out this training request form, and we'll be in touch, or contact me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Links

To explain the concepts of hypothesis testing (null and alternative hypothesis statements), I use an example of James Bond. His famous line is "shaken, not stirred" when ordering a martini.

In a hypothesis test, we would set the null (default) hypothesis to say that he cannot tell the difference. The alternative hypothesis would be proven if there was data showing he could tell the difference (better than guessing or chance).

Hope this helps you understand the concept of hypothesis testing a little more clearly.

Are you interested? Contact me at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Links

Back in 2020, I created a course called "Home Efficiency Using Japanese Lean Productivity Techniques" and I'm offering a free coaching program this month to help you complete the course and get help implementing the concepts into your personal life.

Are you interested? Contact me at [email protected]

Links

Podcast episodes #50-56 (Audio version of course)