Single Minute Exchange of Die (SMED) Definition and Example
Lean offers a variety of strategies for identifying and eliminating waste. One of the most effective comes with an interesting name: Single Minute Exchange of Die (SMED). It’s also known …
Posts in category Tools and Software
Learn about the latest technology in the Six Sigma industry, including software and mobile apps, with these articles from Six Sigma Daily – your source for Six Sigma news and information.
Lean Six Sigma Offers Retailers A Way to Improve Processes and Customer Satisfaction
Created for use in manufacturing, Six Sigma and Lean have since been put to use in a number of industries. That includes healthcare, information technology and even government. Another industry …
Practical Lean Tools and Concepts for Your Business
Seven Lean Tools Businesses Can Apply Immediately to Help Improve Performance
How Cellular Manufacturing Improves Workflow and Efficiency
One of the most important concepts in process improvement, cellular manufacturing involves fine-tuning an operation so that work on sub-projects within a larger project are done in close proximity. As …
The Andon Cord: A Way to Stop Work While Boosting Productivity
Genius comes in many forms. Look around you. Think about the screen you’re using to read this article. Or about the Bluetooth technology that allows you to read this article …
Iowa School District Improves Processes with the Help of Lean
Eliminating wasteful practices and utilizing resources as effectively as possible is a constant struggle for organizations – not to mention educational institutions and other local government entities. But perhaps we …
University of Chicago Physicians Exploring Use of Process Improvement
Despite a growing awareness of the issue, the drug overdose epidemic continues to worsen in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported earlier this year that …
Lean Principles Help Manufacturer Reduce Waste, Increase Production
In 2015, American Rheinmetall Systems (ARS) faced a challenge. The German-owned engineering company needed to streamline operations to give employees more time to take on additional defense contracts. The businesses’ …
Turkish Gold Mine Uses Lean, Kaizen to Improve Performance
In 2013, the Tuprag mining company in Turkey faced two situations that severely impacted the company’s ability to effectively run the Efemcukuru gold mine. First, gold prices dropped from a …
What is a SIPOC Diagram?
The acronym SIPOC stands for Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs and Customer. Using information from these five areas creates a process map that gives a high-level overview of a Six Sigma project.