How to Soar with Lean Principles

Industry: Not Industry Specific

Keywords: 8 Wastes; Lean Concepts; Classroom Exercise

Level: Basic

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/steve-schuelka-0728693

There are many ways to demonstrate Lean Principles, especially the 8 Wastes - Defect, Overproduction, Waiting, Non-Utilized Talent, Transportation, Inventory, Motion, and Extra Processing. In many instances it is done abstractly; other times it is just visual examples.

Do you have the attendees just nodding their heads indicating that they understand, or do they truly comprehend the concept and can apply it to real-world scenarios when they return to work? The challenge for each of us is to make these concepts resonate with the attendees.

There are many ways to illustrate the different sources of waste in any operation, whether they be in a production environment, a service environment, or simply everyday situations. Usually, the best way for these to be taught is to use scenarios or applications that the participant is familiar with.

However, that is not always possible when you have a mixed set of attendees with various backgrounds and work experience. Thus, the goal is to find examples that each can relate to. This presentation will exhibit one method that has been used to illustrate these eight different wastes in a fun exercise, one that was repeated over and over to audiences from college students, to manufacturing employees, and service industry personnel. The material cost for this exercise is minimal; there is no need for expensive gadgets. ALL participants will be actively involved in this demonstration. The hope is that it will be an enjoyable exercise but also will generate dialogue.

Steven Schuelka

Associate Professor, CSUDH, Crown Point, IN, USA

Mr. Schuelka has a M.S. in Statistics and a M.S.E. in Industrial Engineering. He has taught many statistics and quality-focused courses both at Fortune 500 companies and at colleges throughout the Chicago area.

Steven has worked for Petrochemical and Steel companies, spent five years in the Healthcare field, performed statistical analysis for the Space Shuttle program, and has done consulting and conducted training programs throughout the United States. Most recently he was the Program Director of the MSQA Program at Calumet College of St. Joseph and a Lecturer at Purdue University.

Steven has held various positions in the American Society for Quality (ASQ) including being on the Board of Directors, ASQ Treasurer, Regional Director, and Chair of the Voice of the Customer Committee. He is the Past Chair for the Statistics Division. A Fellow in ASQ, he has successfully passed the SSGB, CQA, CQE, CRE, and CMQ/OE Certification Exams.