Implementing a Continous Improvement Program

Lean Manufacturing focuses on WASTE, including many forms that are thought to be ordinary costs of doing business. While employees receive training in the identification of the various forms of waste in the workplace and discuss potential ways to reduce or eliminate it, they may not have the means of moving forward. A critical element in establishing a Continuous Improvement environment is Supervision knowledgeable in both waste identification and in basic problem solving techniques and motivated to lead others in these activities. The course provides a real-world view of what works and what doesnt. It teaches an effective way of introducing rapid change into an organization by utilizing the ideas and motivation of the people who do the work. The course discusses simple rules of survival in continuously changing environments. It teaches the basic problem solving techniques and helps participants become more successful at problem solving in a team environment. The course presents the philosophy of kaizen as the starting place for all lean improvements. This course uses a workshop format to Learn and Do the implementation techniques necessary to implement a Continuous Improvement Program.
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to identify waste activities and know why they should be eliminated. They will be able to define and organize cross-functional teams. They will have gained practical experience with the implementation phase and will be able to lead departments, shifts or other organizational segments in a plant-wide continuous improvement initiative.