Discussion

Dear Professor and Classmates,

With my first assignment completed with the value stream identified I can see how to apply much of the Lean learnings this week with a particular focus on many aspects of reducing inventory, eliminating waste and also key areas of improvement for processes. As we learned this week, the concept of Kaizen as a focus for every day and process in the work and not to focus on everything, but to figure out what to focus on  as a strategic priority for the organization ( Kinsley,1). Another key point while one focuses on Lean is to drive efficiencies without comprising quality, service or safety ( Couris, 2). and for the project work I am focusing on for residential solar installations I can see how to improve this already and I also really see the opportunity to develop a clear line of sight as mentioned by Mr. Couris notes.

For my session I definitely want to have a Work-Out event like the ones Jack Welch and General Electric were known for as part of my work and solution for the future where key employees, stakeholders and an outside facilitator who was certified in Lean processes  ( Welch, 3) which was noted as one of the most profound changes in General Electric’s  which got every brain in the game.

The tools I would use is for sure would be establishing a 1-3 day event to focus on a particular area for improvement with a focus on the TIM WOODS areas for waste which are Transportation, Inventory , Motion, waiting, over processing, over production , defects and skills underutilization ( JWI 550, 4) and together with the team can identify improvements in procedures potentially, metrics, KPI’s together as a team focused on continuous improvement. 

I think the challenges would be to get buy in so that people could be out of the operations for a few days to focus on this. One of the key as we have learned is to also have executive sponsorship  ( Martin, 5) to have support and leadership at this level for the project. I also see tremendous value in using value stream mapping, Gemba walk, Process & Value Add Analysis and Spaghetti diagrams ( Chaus, 6).

Overall the biggest challenge is buy in and I think with these tools that I will be successful,

Kim 

References:

1. Phiilip Knisley. Experts of Practice Videos. JWI 550 Week 5. 2021

2. John Couris. Experts of Practice Videos. JWI 550 Week 5. 2021

3. Jack Welch. Winning. Harper Collins 2005

4.JWI 550 Lecture Notes Week 5. 2021

5. Karen Martin. Value Stream Mapping. McGraw Hill. 2014.

6. Richard Chaus. Linkedin Learning Lean Event, Kaizen or Work-out. Week 5 JWI 550. 2021