A new book emphasizes that:Reviewer Jim Womack explores the evolution of lean management, emphasizing the necessity of a cohesive management system to build sustainable lean enterprises. He reflects on earlier approaches, such as Pascal Dennis’s "Getting the Right Things Done," which focused on strategic alignment through hoshin deployment, and Jim Lancaster’s "The Work of … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Long Journey to Lean Management
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Unleashing The Potential: Quality Validation In Additive Manufacturing
This article from Metrology News looks into the significance of quality validation in additive manufacturing (AM). As AM, commonly known as 3D printing, continues to gain traction across various industries, ensuring the quality and reliability of printed components becomes paramount. AM's unique layer-by-layer construction method introduces potential inconsistencies and defects … [Read more...] about Unleashing The Potential: Quality Validation In Additive Manufacturing
Knowing Your Machine Will Break, and What to Do About it
How many machines do you have on your plant floor past their service life? Often, we specify equipment for a 7- or 10-year usage period but continue to use it long after that has passed. In fact, it isn’t unusual to see operational equipment from the 1970s or earlier! But we are only as strong as our weakest link, and outdated equipment is prone to breakdowns. These unplanned … [Read more...] about Knowing Your Machine Will Break, and What to Do About it
Problem-solving: Anatomy of an 8D
Over the last three weeks, I've talked about ways to improve your root cause analyses. But a root cause analysis is just one step — albeit the most important step — in the whole process of problem-solving. Now that we've discussed it in some detail, let's back up to look at the whole cycle from beginning to end.There are several different tools or methods to formalize solving a … [Read more...] about Problem-solving: Anatomy of an 8D
External Materiality and ESG: What You Should Be Looking For
As a business leader thinking about operational risk, do you consider internal risks first? For example, when considering operational risk, are regulatory compliance, talent retention or catastrophic asset failures resulting in production shutdowns top of mind? When you consider external risks, do you land on those that are most obvious, such as shifts in regulatory burdens, … [Read more...] about External Materiality and ESG: What You Should Be Looking For
The Benefits Of ISO 28000 Supply Chain Management System
The supply chain is a critical and vital part of all industries. Its importance is such that it helps organizations and enables them to operate normally and grow their business, without obstacles. With coronavirus, its importance has risen even further. Today, it is not just regarded as a key driver of customer service improvement but is also regarded as a key instrument for … [Read more...] about The Benefits Of ISO 28000 Supply Chain Management System
How Quality Supports Balance Between Human Workers and Intelligent Robots
With the current business trends of "working from anywhere" and the "Great Resignation", this balance is more important than ever for businesses to consider. It raises the questions:What roles should be given over to machines?How will organizations prepare their organizations – and their people – for the changing nature of work? How can error proofing … [Read more...] about How Quality Supports Balance Between Human Workers and Intelligent Robots
Metal Fabricator’s Future Shines Brightly With Updated Quality Management System
Founded in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, in 1876, Hendrick Manufacturing provides custom metal solutions to a wide range of industries. As a family-owned and operated business, Hendrick has come a long way from its origin as the first commercial manufacturer of perforated metal screens. During the past 140 years, its perforated metals market has expanded to a myriad of … [Read more...] about Metal Fabricator’s Future Shines Brightly With Updated Quality Management System
ISO Standard on Sharing Economy
The sharing economy creates a more sustainable world. In November 2021, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published ISO 42500:2021, an international standard on Sharing economy – General principles. This standard is intended to be used by all types and size of the organizations including commercial enterprises, government agencies, not-for-profit … [Read more...] about ISO Standard on Sharing Economy
2022 Manufacturing Outlook and Opportunities
2022 is shaping up to be a year of opportunity for manufacturers in spite of ongoing concerns regarding business resiliency, supply chain instability, manpower shortages and economic uncertainty exacerbated by the Omicron variant.Manufacturers experiencing strong and consistent growth have one thing in common – they were early adopters of digital technologies, embracing … [Read more...] about 2022 Manufacturing Outlook and Opportunities
Lessons from the Winter Olympics that can be applied to operational excellence
The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, which are taking place right now, offer a perfect opportunity to look at the basic principles for the success of top athletes and apply them to operational excellence initiatives in your company.Professional athletes practice repeatedly, over many years, to improve their performance and ultimately prevail over their competitors. Operational … [Read more...] about Lessons from the Winter Olympics that can be applied to operational excellence
REASONS WHY MANUFACTURERS NEED TO INVEST IN QMS
Quality is a strategy that must be pervasive throughout every department and every level of the organization. In business, engineering, and manufacturing, quality has a pragmatic interpretation as the non-inferiority or superiority of something that aims at satisfying customer expectations.What is Quality for Manufacturing?manufacturing quality is conformance to specifications. … [Read more...] about REASONS WHY MANUFACTURERS NEED TO INVEST IN QMS
Business Continuity Planning Suite
If you need more help getting a business or organization prepared, please use the new Business Continuity Planning Suite (ZIP Archive - 13 Mb: PC Compatible) developed by DHS’ National Protection and Programs Directorate and FEMA.This software was created for any business with the need to create, improve, or update its business continuity plan. The Suite is scalable … [Read more...] about Business Continuity Planning Suite
Quality Conversations: Organizational Excellence Specialists
What are excellence models, and how can organizations use them to drive quality and boost performance? Dawn Ringrose, Principal of Organizational Excellence Specialists, is an expert on excellence models—and a big believer in their benefits. Since 1984, Dawn has been helping organizations across the public, private, and non-profit sectors fine-tune their culture and operations … [Read more...] about Quality Conversations: Organizational Excellence Specialists
7 Ways Augmented Reality Can Upgrade Manufacturing Processes
Business leaders can deploy AR in manufacturing to streamline routine operations and create a safer workplace.Several industries, including construction, pharmaceutical, tourism, and others have started utilizing augmented reality (AR) to enhance their business. The COVID-19 pandemic has helped in showing the true potential of AR in these industries. According to the Wall … [Read more...] about 7 Ways Augmented Reality Can Upgrade Manufacturing Processes
Three Steps to Reduce Complexity in Product Configurations
As customer demands for more customization and choice increase, the complexity of products and associated product design, manufacturing, and sales processes also increase. Product life cycles are also getting shorter, requiring a constant flow of new products with high-value features and capabilities.This challenges product design and engineering processes to become leaner, … [Read more...] about Three Steps to Reduce Complexity in Product Configurations
Instilling lifecycle costs into modular product development for improved remanufacturing-product service system enterprise
HighlightsPairwise assessment of modules enables an efficient modular product development.Modular product design enhances PSS-Remanufacturing business initiative.Integrating lifecycle costs into product development improves PSS-Remanufacturing.Analytic-based guidance enhances decision making about product architecture.Multi-objective analysis enhances decision making in product … [Read more...] about Instilling lifecycle costs into modular product development for improved remanufacturing-product service system enterprise
ISO 31000:2018-Risk Management: A Practical Guide
Every organization faces risks that could impact its objectives. Organizations that have identified risks and committed to the effective management of those risks will be better prepared to deal with them. This handbook, published jointly by ISO and UNIDO, provides valuable insights into the implementation of ISO 31000 Risk management – Guidelines.Read the full article … [Read more...] about ISO 31000:2018-Risk Management: A Practical Guide
What is a management system? A brief explanation and introduction
Management systems distinguish professional companies from those in which things happen randomly and on-demand.Different motives underlie the introduction of management systems:Business causes: Companies want to improve their performance and efficiency.Competitive causes: Companies want to be certified to a management system (e.g., ISO 9001:2015).Regulatory … [Read more...] about What is a management system? A brief explanation and introduction
How Small Manufacturers Can Develop Risk Management Strategies for Supply Chains
The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light a stark reality about current supply chains. As Nissan Motor Co.’s Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta points out, “The just-in-time model is designed for supply-chain efficiencies and economies of scale. The repercussions of an unprecedented crisis like COVID highlight the fragility of our supply-chain model.”The U.S. supply chain has … [Read more...] about How Small Manufacturers Can Develop Risk Management Strategies for Supply Chains