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Systems Thinking–More than the sum of its’ parts

When Jamie Flinchbaugh and I founded the Lean Learning Center we focused on 4 primary principles of lean: practical problem solving, waste elimination, standardization, and systems (process) thinking. Problem solving, waste elimination and standardization are well understood and widely accepted practices in the lean community and understandably are some of … Continue reading

Decision Making–A Competitive Advantage

It is easy to debate what characteristics give one company a competitive advantage over another.  It might be service quality, product quality, speed, flexibility, location, social footprint, technology and I’m sure you could offer more examples. Each of these characteristics are legitimate and some are more legitimate than others based … Continue reading

A Digital Dilemma

The Digital Factory in a New Normal

I continue to be captivated by the continuing focus and application of Factory 4.0. and the digital transformation. I recently had the opportunity to listen to an AME Webinar featuring Steven Spear from MIT and author of the DNA of the Toyota Production … Continue reading

Leading Lean versus Lean Leadership

Dual Role for Lean Transformation

I recognized, after a recent update to the website https://www.andycarlino.com/reflections-leading-lean/ , that more background might be helpful to better understand the distinction between “leading lean” and “lean leadership’. Before going any further, I want to clarify that this is not about one versus the other … Continue reading

Tactics of Policy Deployment

Leading Lean with Purpose

 

I’m currently working with an organization on policy deployment and was reminded of an experience some years ago. I was meeting with a good friend who I consider to be one of the best manufacturing leaders I have ever known, and I’ve known a lot. … Continue reading

Examining Lincoln (James not Abraham)

Enabling Lean Operating Systems

 

For most of the 90’s I had the good fortune to consult with Chrysler Corp. working primarily on the implementation of the Chrysler Operating System (COS) which was led by Chrysler EVP, Dennis Pawley. During that same period, my future partner Jamie Flinchbaugh, was employed … Continue reading