Lean for Banks

Lean for Banks

Author: Bohdan W. Oppenheim

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2014-11-21

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 1482260840

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Most banking institutions suffer from numerous inefficiencies, such as poor planning; inadequate coordination and communication; ineffective processes, tools, and workflow; and excessive bureaucracy. Lean for Banks describes in easy language how to use Lean and Six Sigma management practices to significantly improve the efficiency of bank operations. This book shows how to use Lean and Six Sigma management practices to improve the normal daily work in a bank, typically executed in the so-called "back offices." This work involves about 90 percent of bank employees and generates 90 percent of costs. Lean for Banks explains how to organize bank operations better, increase work productivity and quality by working smarter and not harder, make fewer mistakes and decrease rework, and elevate jobs from mundane and repetitive to creative and pleasantly challenging. Most importantly, it shows how to increase the satisfaction of bank customers and in turn enhance bank competitiveness and market share. Lean for Banks is intended for all levels of bank employees: back-office workers, first-level supervisors, middle- and higher-level managers, and corporate executives. It is also intended for all levels of students at schools that teach banking skills—short courses intended for tellers, college courses in advanced banking operations, and continuing education for bank managers and line employees. This book is an entry-level text on Lean and should give readers enough understanding to prepare them for active participation in Lean deployment activities.


Book Synopsis Lean for Banks by : Bohdan W. Oppenheim

Download or read book Lean for Banks written by Bohdan W. Oppenheim and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2014-11-21 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most banking institutions suffer from numerous inefficiencies, such as poor planning; inadequate coordination and communication; ineffective processes, tools, and workflow; and excessive bureaucracy. Lean for Banks describes in easy language how to use Lean and Six Sigma management practices to significantly improve the efficiency of bank operations. This book shows how to use Lean and Six Sigma management practices to improve the normal daily work in a bank, typically executed in the so-called "back offices." This work involves about 90 percent of bank employees and generates 90 percent of costs. Lean for Banks explains how to organize bank operations better, increase work productivity and quality by working smarter and not harder, make fewer mistakes and decrease rework, and elevate jobs from mundane and repetitive to creative and pleasantly challenging. Most importantly, it shows how to increase the satisfaction of bank customers and in turn enhance bank competitiveness and market share. Lean for Banks is intended for all levels of bank employees: back-office workers, first-level supervisors, middle- and higher-level managers, and corporate executives. It is also intended for all levels of students at schools that teach banking skills—short courses intended for tellers, college courses in advanced banking operations, and continuing education for bank managers and line employees. This book is an entry-level text on Lean and should give readers enough understanding to prepare them for active participation in Lean deployment activities.


Lean for Banks

Lean for Banks

Author: Bohdan W. Oppenheim

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2014-11-21

Total Pages: 230

ISBN-13: 1482260859

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Most banking institutions suffer from numerous inefficiencies, such as poor planning; inadequate coordination and communication; ineffective processes, tools, and workflow; and excessive bureaucracy. Lean for Banks describes in easy language how to use Lean and Six Sigma management practices to significantly improve the efficiency of bank operation


Book Synopsis Lean for Banks by : Bohdan W. Oppenheim

Download or read book Lean for Banks written by Bohdan W. Oppenheim and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2014-11-21 with total page 230 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most banking institutions suffer from numerous inefficiencies, such as poor planning; inadequate coordination and communication; ineffective processes, tools, and workflow; and excessive bureaucracy. Lean for Banks describes in easy language how to use Lean and Six Sigma management practices to significantly improve the efficiency of bank operation


Lean Six Sigma in Banking Services

Lean Six Sigma in Banking Services

Author: Vijaya Sunder M

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-05-05

Total Pages: 111

ISBN-13: 9811538204

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This book explores a range of prospective avenues, models, and operational and strategic approaches to Lean Six Sigma (LSS), a contemporary Continuous Improvement (CI) practice for achieving a quality-based competitive edge in organisations. Lean Six Sigma project case studies from banking organizations help to illustrate the operational dimensions of LSS, while the case-specific and cross-case analyses presented here demonstrate its strategic value. While the case data used to arrive at the findings come from the Banking firms, it allows generalizability beyond the Banking and Financial Services sector. The book contends that LSS is not merely a CI practice, but a higher-order organizational capability, more precisely a dynamic capability, that allows firms to gain a competitive edge based on quality. Addressing the interests of practitioners and researchers alike, the book strikes a balance between theory and practice. For practitioners, it offers guidance on using LSS to gain a competitive advantage, and on evidence-based practice in quality management and operational excellence. For researchers, it presents a wealth of literature and expands the body of knowledge on quality management. Accordingly, the book is of immense value to both practitioners and researchers, helping the former unlock the value of LSS as both an operational and strategic resource, and highlighting potential research directions and applications for the latter. “This book provides a deep understanding of Lean Six Sigma applications. It inspires by transferring the principles of the concept into uncommon areas of operations and management behind the usual quality and project management. While reading the book I got hit by a great idea of applying Lean Six Sigma in my digital business as well. My impression at the end of the book was that sky is the limit for the right employment of Lean Six Sigma, especially while viewing it from a dynamic capabilities’ lens. Readers of this book will surely receive insights for improving their business processes both operationally and strategically. Although the book is focused on banking, it is actually suitable for a really wide audience. This is a brilliant piece of research as a book that will serve as a guide for transformation by the prism of Lean Six Sigma.” - Professor. Dr. ZornitsaYordanova, Chief Assistant Professor of Innovation Management, University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria “Lean Six Sigma needs to be understood from a systems perspective and there exists a huge knowledge gap in this area of finding holistic solutions to business problems. This book is a very welcome work that addresses this call. It integrates quality management resources and dynamic capabilities view towards practice. Banking and Financial Services was aptly chosen as it has the most direct applicability for social enterprises. Anyone interested in creating more impact with less will surely benefit from reading the book” -Alex Abraham, Chief Executive Officer, Lean Success Partners, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada “The book is a refreshing booster to the world of Quality Management especially in the context of Banking and Financial Services. Concepts and terms like “Rapidness of Lean & robustness of Six Sigma to solve operational problems” “Hybrid methodology” resonate very well with what we do in the industry today. Another interesting fact about the book is applying “Dynamic Capabilities approach” to Quality Management, that sets a fresh Quality Oven and ensures this book is definitely a good investment of authors’ intellect.Best part – Even if a reader is new to the world of Quality,this book will be appropriate and resonating. For Researchers and Practitioners, both being leaders orfresh entrants, this book stands out to be a must-read, as it demonstrates the success of the Lean Six Sigma methodology via case studies and practical applications.” -Udit Salvan, Director, Global Transformation & Engineering Network,An American Multinational Financial Services Corporation, New York, USA


Book Synopsis Lean Six Sigma in Banking Services by : Vijaya Sunder M

Download or read book Lean Six Sigma in Banking Services written by Vijaya Sunder M and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-05-05 with total page 111 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores a range of prospective avenues, models, and operational and strategic approaches to Lean Six Sigma (LSS), a contemporary Continuous Improvement (CI) practice for achieving a quality-based competitive edge in organisations. Lean Six Sigma project case studies from banking organizations help to illustrate the operational dimensions of LSS, while the case-specific and cross-case analyses presented here demonstrate its strategic value. While the case data used to arrive at the findings come from the Banking firms, it allows generalizability beyond the Banking and Financial Services sector. The book contends that LSS is not merely a CI practice, but a higher-order organizational capability, more precisely a dynamic capability, that allows firms to gain a competitive edge based on quality. Addressing the interests of practitioners and researchers alike, the book strikes a balance between theory and practice. For practitioners, it offers guidance on using LSS to gain a competitive advantage, and on evidence-based practice in quality management and operational excellence. For researchers, it presents a wealth of literature and expands the body of knowledge on quality management. Accordingly, the book is of immense value to both practitioners and researchers, helping the former unlock the value of LSS as both an operational and strategic resource, and highlighting potential research directions and applications for the latter. “This book provides a deep understanding of Lean Six Sigma applications. It inspires by transferring the principles of the concept into uncommon areas of operations and management behind the usual quality and project management. While reading the book I got hit by a great idea of applying Lean Six Sigma in my digital business as well. My impression at the end of the book was that sky is the limit for the right employment of Lean Six Sigma, especially while viewing it from a dynamic capabilities’ lens. Readers of this book will surely receive insights for improving their business processes both operationally and strategically. Although the book is focused on banking, it is actually suitable for a really wide audience. This is a brilliant piece of research as a book that will serve as a guide for transformation by the prism of Lean Six Sigma.” - Professor. Dr. ZornitsaYordanova, Chief Assistant Professor of Innovation Management, University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria “Lean Six Sigma needs to be understood from a systems perspective and there exists a huge knowledge gap in this area of finding holistic solutions to business problems. This book is a very welcome work that addresses this call. It integrates quality management resources and dynamic capabilities view towards practice. Banking and Financial Services was aptly chosen as it has the most direct applicability for social enterprises. Anyone interested in creating more impact with less will surely benefit from reading the book” -Alex Abraham, Chief Executive Officer, Lean Success Partners, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada “The book is a refreshing booster to the world of Quality Management especially in the context of Banking and Financial Services. Concepts and terms like “Rapidness of Lean & robustness of Six Sigma to solve operational problems” “Hybrid methodology” resonate very well with what we do in the industry today. Another interesting fact about the book is applying “Dynamic Capabilities approach” to Quality Management, that sets a fresh Quality Oven and ensures this book is definitely a good investment of authors’ intellect.Best part – Even if a reader is new to the world of Quality,this book will be appropriate and resonating. For Researchers and Practitioners, both being leaders orfresh entrants, this book stands out to be a must-read, as it demonstrates the success of the Lean Six Sigma methodology via case studies and practical applications.” -Udit Salvan, Director, Global Transformation & Engineering Network,An American Multinational Financial Services Corporation, New York, USA


Lean Banking

Lean Banking

Author: Ade Asefeso MCIPS MBA

Publisher: AA Global Sourcing Ltd

Published: 2014-09-27

Total Pages: 107

ISBN-13: 1502509423

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In response to the recent economy's woes, banks have placed a growing premium on reducing costs and improving operational efficiencies and many banks have turned to lean programs as a useful tool. Most of these banks will find themselves disappointed, however, because few lean initiatives, in our experience, deliver the expected results. The near and longer-term impact on costs proves to be far less than expected, and any gains in efficiency prove to be either temporary or too limited in scope to make a real difference. There is no fundamental, lasting change in the way the bank conducts its operations and hence little impact on long-term performance. The problem is not with lean itself, however. Indeed, we believe that lean has much to offer banks. The problem lies in the approach and implementation. Typically, banks go wrong in one of two ways. One, they apply lean too narrowly and from too limited a perspective. There is no cohesive, end-to-end view of the process itself or the alignment of all of its elements. Alternatively, the effort is driven solely from the top down and fails to engage and involve the key people who actually perform the critical tasks within the process. This leads to a lack of process ownership and accountability. The end result, in either case, is that the lean effort delivers only a fraction of its potential benefits.


Book Synopsis Lean Banking by : Ade Asefeso MCIPS MBA

Download or read book Lean Banking written by Ade Asefeso MCIPS MBA and published by AA Global Sourcing Ltd. This book was released on 2014-09-27 with total page 107 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In response to the recent economy's woes, banks have placed a growing premium on reducing costs and improving operational efficiencies and many banks have turned to lean programs as a useful tool. Most of these banks will find themselves disappointed, however, because few lean initiatives, in our experience, deliver the expected results. The near and longer-term impact on costs proves to be far less than expected, and any gains in efficiency prove to be either temporary or too limited in scope to make a real difference. There is no fundamental, lasting change in the way the bank conducts its operations and hence little impact on long-term performance. The problem is not with lean itself, however. Indeed, we believe that lean has much to offer banks. The problem lies in the approach and implementation. Typically, banks go wrong in one of two ways. One, they apply lean too narrowly and from too limited a perspective. There is no cohesive, end-to-end view of the process itself or the alignment of all of its elements. Alternatively, the effort is driven solely from the top down and fails to engage and involve the key people who actually perform the critical tasks within the process. This leads to a lack of process ownership and accountability. The end result, in either case, is that the lean effort delivers only a fraction of its potential benefits.


Six Sigma for Financial Services: How Leading Companies Are Driving Results Using Lean, Six Sigma, and Process Management

Six Sigma for Financial Services: How Leading Companies Are Driving Results Using Lean, Six Sigma, and Process Management

Author: Rowland Hayler

Publisher: McGraw Hill Professional

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13: 0071470379

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Helping you to use Six Sigma and other tools in a wide range of financial service applications; this hands-on guide features actual experiences from frontline managers and executives in financial services firms all around the world. --


Book Synopsis Six Sigma for Financial Services: How Leading Companies Are Driving Results Using Lean, Six Sigma, and Process Management by : Rowland Hayler

Download or read book Six Sigma for Financial Services: How Leading Companies Are Driving Results Using Lean, Six Sigma, and Process Management written by Rowland Hayler and published by McGraw Hill Professional. This book was released on 2007 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Helping you to use Six Sigma and other tools in a wide range of financial service applications; this hands-on guide features actual experiences from frontline managers and executives in financial services firms all around the world. --


Value-Driven Channel Strategy

Value-Driven Channel Strategy

Author: R. Eric Reidenbach

Publisher: Quality Press

Published: 2005-04-07

Total Pages: 188

ISBN-13: 0873894359

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Value at the point of production does not automatically translate into value at the point of consumption. Augmenting lean thinking with a more robust and substantial customer value basis makes it even more powerful when applied to the organization’s value stream. This book unleashes the principles of lean thinking as a strategic tool to do just that. As authors Reidenbach and Goeke argue throughout this book, an organization’s ability to use lean techniques not only to eliminate non-value adding costs but also to use the same lean tools to enhance its competitive value proposition is to realize the full power and potency of lean. The concepts explained are pertinent not only to manufacturing but also service organizations that move products/services through channels of distribution. The book will challenge managers from a number of distinct organizational areas to think about the way they view their business. Those in marketing, quality, logistics, Six Sigma, customer relationship management (CRM), market research, and business intelligence will find the book extremely. The principles outlined apply to commercial banks, healthcare, and insurance as well as they do to the automotive or pharmaceutical industries.


Book Synopsis Value-Driven Channel Strategy by : R. Eric Reidenbach

Download or read book Value-Driven Channel Strategy written by R. Eric Reidenbach and published by Quality Press. This book was released on 2005-04-07 with total page 188 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Value at the point of production does not automatically translate into value at the point of consumption. Augmenting lean thinking with a more robust and substantial customer value basis makes it even more powerful when applied to the organization’s value stream. This book unleashes the principles of lean thinking as a strategic tool to do just that. As authors Reidenbach and Goeke argue throughout this book, an organization’s ability to use lean techniques not only to eliminate non-value adding costs but also to use the same lean tools to enhance its competitive value proposition is to realize the full power and potency of lean. The concepts explained are pertinent not only to manufacturing but also service organizations that move products/services through channels of distribution. The book will challenge managers from a number of distinct organizational areas to think about the way they view their business. Those in marketing, quality, logistics, Six Sigma, customer relationship management (CRM), market research, and business intelligence will find the book extremely. The principles outlined apply to commercial banks, healthcare, and insurance as well as they do to the automotive or pharmaceutical industries.


A Tale of Two Systems

A Tale of Two Systems

Author: Michael K. Levine

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2009-06-24

Total Pages: 342

ISBN-13: 1439803919

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This business parable reviews two different systems development projects. One project was an abject, expensive failure, while the other succeeded in creating a major new revenue stream, bringing in new customers. By reviewing the tales of these two systems, readers will develop a better understanding of what works and what doesn‘t when it comes to


Book Synopsis A Tale of Two Systems by : Michael K. Levine

Download or read book A Tale of Two Systems written by Michael K. Levine and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2009-06-24 with total page 342 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This business parable reviews two different systems development projects. One project was an abject, expensive failure, while the other succeeded in creating a major new revenue stream, bringing in new customers. By reviewing the tales of these two systems, readers will develop a better understanding of what works and what doesn‘t when it comes to


Lean Impact

Lean Impact

Author: Ann Mei Chang

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2018-10-30

Total Pages: 313

ISBN-13: 1119506603

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Despite enormous investments of time and money, are we making a dent on the social and environmental challenges of our time? What if we could exponentially increase our impact? Around the world, a new generation is looking beyond greater profits, for meaningful purpose. But, unlike business, few social interventions have achieved significant impact at scale. Inspired by the modern innovation practices, popularized by bestseller The Lean Startup, that have fueled technology breakthroughs touching every aspect of our lives, Lean Impact turns our attention to a new goal - radically greater social good. Social change is far more complicated than building a new app. It requires more listening, more care, and more stakeholders. To make a lasting difference, solutions must be embraced by beneficiaries, address root causes, and include an engine that can accelerate growth to reach the scale of the need. Lean Impact offers bold ideas to reach audacious goals through customer insight, rapid experimentation and iteration, and a relentless pursuit of impact. Ann Mei Chang brings a unique perspective from across sectors, from her years as a tech executive in Silicon Valley to her most recent experience as the Chief Innovation Officer at USAID. She vividly illustrates the book with real stories from interviews with over 200 organizations across the US and around the world. Whether you are a nonprofit, social enterprise, triple bottom line company, foundation, government agency, philanthropist, impact investor, or simply donate your time and money, Lean Impact is an essential guide to maximizing social impact and scale.


Book Synopsis Lean Impact by : Ann Mei Chang

Download or read book Lean Impact written by Ann Mei Chang and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2018-10-30 with total page 313 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Despite enormous investments of time and money, are we making a dent on the social and environmental challenges of our time? What if we could exponentially increase our impact? Around the world, a new generation is looking beyond greater profits, for meaningful purpose. But, unlike business, few social interventions have achieved significant impact at scale. Inspired by the modern innovation practices, popularized by bestseller The Lean Startup, that have fueled technology breakthroughs touching every aspect of our lives, Lean Impact turns our attention to a new goal - radically greater social good. Social change is far more complicated than building a new app. It requires more listening, more care, and more stakeholders. To make a lasting difference, solutions must be embraced by beneficiaries, address root causes, and include an engine that can accelerate growth to reach the scale of the need. Lean Impact offers bold ideas to reach audacious goals through customer insight, rapid experimentation and iteration, and a relentless pursuit of impact. Ann Mei Chang brings a unique perspective from across sectors, from her years as a tech executive in Silicon Valley to her most recent experience as the Chief Innovation Officer at USAID. She vividly illustrates the book with real stories from interviews with over 200 organizations across the US and around the world. Whether you are a nonprofit, social enterprise, triple bottom line company, foundation, government agency, philanthropist, impact investor, or simply donate your time and money, Lean Impact is an essential guide to maximizing social impact and scale.


Project Management for Banks

Project Management for Banks

Author: Dan Bonner

Publisher: Business Expert Press

Published: 2021-09-14

Total Pages: 158

ISBN-13: 1637421125

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Project management processes have been intertwined within every fabric of human evolution including advances in communication, farming, construction, medicine, law, architecture, physics, and economics to name a few. At each evolutionary stage, there was a project manager who was studying the how and why of everything, trying new techniques, and documenting trials, errors and successes until a specific craft was mastered, thrusting progress forward in an upward trajectory that has been carved into human history. There are countless books and articles that focus on the practice of project management. What makes this book different is the focus placed largely on the project management processes for United States (U.S) bankers. This book starts with a look at the historical progression of project management processes but quickly focuses the material on project management processes for bankers, heavily leaning towards project managers in United States (U.S.) banks. The book also looks at the bank regulatory agencies that govern U.S. banks, regulations critical to the U.S banking system, and concludes with an overview of U.S. banking technologies and the management of a U.S. banking customer call center. The book provides a comprehensive perspective on the U.S. banking project management processes, the regulatory agencies that govern and influence those processes, how technology, and more specifically, the development and use of artificial intelligence, will create a shift in the evolutionary trajectory of U.S. banking practices, and how U.S. banking project management practices will be at the core of how quickly and how successfully this evolution unfolds.


Book Synopsis Project Management for Banks by : Dan Bonner

Download or read book Project Management for Banks written by Dan Bonner and published by Business Expert Press. This book was released on 2021-09-14 with total page 158 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Project management processes have been intertwined within every fabric of human evolution including advances in communication, farming, construction, medicine, law, architecture, physics, and economics to name a few. At each evolutionary stage, there was a project manager who was studying the how and why of everything, trying new techniques, and documenting trials, errors and successes until a specific craft was mastered, thrusting progress forward in an upward trajectory that has been carved into human history. There are countless books and articles that focus on the practice of project management. What makes this book different is the focus placed largely on the project management processes for United States (U.S) bankers. This book starts with a look at the historical progression of project management processes but quickly focuses the material on project management processes for bankers, heavily leaning towards project managers in United States (U.S.) banks. The book also looks at the bank regulatory agencies that govern U.S. banks, regulations critical to the U.S banking system, and concludes with an overview of U.S. banking technologies and the management of a U.S. banking customer call center. The book provides a comprehensive perspective on the U.S. banking project management processes, the regulatory agencies that govern and influence those processes, how technology, and more specifically, the development and use of artificial intelligence, will create a shift in the evolutionary trajectory of U.S. banking practices, and how U.S. banking project management practices will be at the core of how quickly and how successfully this evolution unfolds.


Made-to-Order Lean

Made-to-Order Lean

Author: Greg Lane

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2020-03-09

Total Pages: 276

ISBN-13: 142008688X

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Toyota Production System methods have rendered remarkable results in high-volume manufacturing plants, but they have not been fully understood and correctly applied in high-mix, low-volume environments. While lean principles do apply, the implementation methods and tools must be adapted and alternate methods embraced in a low-volume environment. This volume is specifically geared for manufacturers that have hundreds to thousands of active part numbers with few or no ongoing forecasted volumes, and for job shops that build only to order. The primary focus is eliminating non-value-added activities and instituting improvements on the most repetitive jobs, a strategy that gives you more time to produce your low-volume work or one-offs. About the author: Greg Lane is a faculty member of the Lean Enterprise Institute and an advisor to the Instituto de Lean Management in Spain. During his time with Toyota, he was one of a handful of candidates selected for a one-year training program conducted by the company’s masters. He became certified as a Toyota Production System (TPS) Key Person and continued his work with Toyota, training others in TPS. He has been highly active in working on implementing lean around the world, supporting large and small companies alike. In 1998, he began to focus his lean endeavors on meeting the specific needs of high-mix, low-volume enterprises. During his time as an independent consultant, Greg purchased and operated his own manufacturing company, which specialized in fast turnaround on high-mix, low-volume parts. Greg used TPS to grow the business and nearly double its sales. Greg and his associates have experience not only at adapting the methods contained in this book, but also in applying other tools that are too numerous to detail here. They can be reached for further support with your lean transformation via email: [email protected]


Book Synopsis Made-to-Order Lean by : Greg Lane

Download or read book Made-to-Order Lean written by Greg Lane and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2020-03-09 with total page 276 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Toyota Production System methods have rendered remarkable results in high-volume manufacturing plants, but they have not been fully understood and correctly applied in high-mix, low-volume environments. While lean principles do apply, the implementation methods and tools must be adapted and alternate methods embraced in a low-volume environment. This volume is specifically geared for manufacturers that have hundreds to thousands of active part numbers with few or no ongoing forecasted volumes, and for job shops that build only to order. The primary focus is eliminating non-value-added activities and instituting improvements on the most repetitive jobs, a strategy that gives you more time to produce your low-volume work or one-offs. About the author: Greg Lane is a faculty member of the Lean Enterprise Institute and an advisor to the Instituto de Lean Management in Spain. During his time with Toyota, he was one of a handful of candidates selected for a one-year training program conducted by the company’s masters. He became certified as a Toyota Production System (TPS) Key Person and continued his work with Toyota, training others in TPS. He has been highly active in working on implementing lean around the world, supporting large and small companies alike. In 1998, he began to focus his lean endeavors on meeting the specific needs of high-mix, low-volume enterprises. During his time as an independent consultant, Greg purchased and operated his own manufacturing company, which specialized in fast turnaround on high-mix, low-volume parts. Greg used TPS to grow the business and nearly double its sales. Greg and his associates have experience not only at adapting the methods contained in this book, but also in applying other tools that are too numerous to detail here. They can be reached for further support with your lean transformation via email: [email protected]