Lean Principles

method360 specialised in delivering combined training and consulting in Lean and Continuous Improvement. Contact us today to find out how you can increase your profit margin by up to 400% by implementing our proven Lean System.

The purpose of Lean Thinking is to create value through eliminating waste and then reallocating productive resources to new value creating work. The outcome is a more efficient, value added and cost effective business.

The process involves the practical application of the five principles of lean thinking:

• Specifying value from the customers’ point of view;
• Rigorous, objective measurement of value streams and eliminating as many non-value adding steps as possible;
• While ensuring the remaining value-adding steps are sequenced to flow smoothly towards the customer;
• Pulled at a rate which matches the customer demand; and
• Always pursuing perfection through continuous improvement.

This unique approach is focused on successfully harnessing and increasing the existing enterprise knowledge to create an aligned, learning enterprise that over time can attract high performing staff, deliver increased job satisfaction and provide significant competitive advantage through leveraging human capital.

The application of best practice is effectively prioritised through a process of rigorous measurement, applying the theory of constraints, and introducing a ‘culture of discipline’ that focuses on making the enterprises physical assets sweat; thus creating a number of business options for management:

• Business growth using the existing asset base,
• Additional new product development with existing resources,
• Cost reduction and/or increased margins,
• Growth in market share through increased capacity and/or price reduction,
• New acquisitions, or diversification,
• Investing in more training or equipment, or
• Surviving on its own terms in difficult or adverse market conditions.

The lean principles used in the methodology applied are tried and tested, globally acceptable methodologies. Each intervention is tailored to ensure that these key principles are applied in such a way as to develop and transfer lean capabilities to the organisation, avoiding the pitfalls along the way.

Set up and train business improvement teams in the use of A3’s and the PDCA cycle to ensure effective strategy deployment.

Develop and cement the ‘new business way’ through the application of the practical principles of standard work.

Ensure that the risks of change are effectively managed during the early stages of the Lean Initiative.

Assist the business with the development of an appropriate reward system for operations excellence as a foundation for sustainable business improvement.

Assist the business to review the roles and responsibilities required in future to support the new culture. Assist in developing new roles and responsibilities to ensure the critical skills within the business are retained.

Mentoring and coaching a broad cross-section of staff during the change management process to minimise disruption and uncertainty.

Training groups of key staff in appropriate practices to develop internal capabilities in support of excellence in strategy execution.

Training team members in the practices of world class manufacturing and services and in particular how to be an effective member of a high performing team.

Training team leaders how to manage and effectively direct a high performing team using world class manufacturing and services principles to deliver the companies strategy at the front line.

Using realistic, hands on, business simulations to train and educate staff in the practical aspects of developing improved practices as a foundation for business improvement.

Business simulations are structured to ensure a ‘learning by doing’ approach, which give practical ‘take home’ actions for immediate application within the workplace.

Using small group workshops as effective training methods for quick returns on effort and practical application of best practice principles. Workshops are developed around specific needs within the business and use actual problems within the business to work through during the workshops.

Training teams in the theory and practice in the following best practices:

• Leading and Managing Change
• 5S Workplace Organisation
• Visual Measures - OEE, OPE
• Teamwork
• Waste reduction – loss and waste analysis, value stream mapping
• Pull Systems
• Set-up-time reduction
• Problem solving
• Total Productive Maintenance
• Standard work

Using dedicated intellectual property to develop a radar chart and gap analysis on practice maturity for chosen best practices.

Map the current company position on the practice/performance chart and use this baseline position to develop a future strategy for business improvement.

method360 provides Lean Principles and Continuous Improvement consulting across Australia including Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, and Adelaide. Should you require an in-house course or an improvement program in Lean Principles or Continuous Improvement, contact method360 for a no obligations consultation to see how we can help you eliminate waste, while value adding in incremental and consistent steps.