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 Tips
This is the final chapter of the decision making mini-blog series. I thought we’d finish with some final insights.
Tip #1-It’s easier to reverse or recover from an individual decision than it is a group decision.
Tip #2-There is a difference in the process of making the same … Continue reading
Framing Your Decisions
A decision can be defined as a course of action purposely chosen from a set of alternatives to achieve organizational or managerial objectives or goals. Effective decision making is a critical component of managing any organization or business activities and are frequently made at ALL levels of an organization.… 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
Leading Lean and Lean Leadership Part 2
Comparing Lean and Leadership
Several years ago I developed, defined and taught what I called “Conflicting Pairs” Essentially pairs of Lean Leadership behaviors that on one side of the ledger were easier things to do and on the other side were more the right things to do. As I reflect, … 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
Freedom Within a Framework
Framework for a Lean Transformation
I have been working with a few clients recently where the concept of “freedom within a framework” has become a common mantra within the organization, however, I’m not sure the concept or intent is really understood or effectively practiced.
I remember as a child … 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