Understanding what Muda is, or what is defined as “waste” in the Japanese language, and how to identify it within your operations is one of the most important skills for performing LEAN. In fact, everything we do is built upon this simple practice, yet few LEAN Practitioners (beginners, as well as subject matter experts) conduct this on a regular basis! This training course is designed to build the basic skills for understanding, identify, and eliminating muda.
Learning to See: Muda, is Waste
Muda, The 7 Types of Wastes
Muda, and the Non-Value Added process steps, are commonly identified and categorized into seven (7) types. Learn how to identify them and their common causes, so you can eliminate them.
Ishikawa, and the Causes and Effects of Wastes
Ishikawa is the methodology of using a fishbone diagram to visually show the potential causes of muda and its relationship with the effects, which is broken-out by category type. Learn how to determine these causes so you can eliminate muda at their root cause.
3G Management
3G Management refers to the approach for identifying Muda, the 7 Types of Wastes and the Non-Value Added process steps, as well as connecting the potential causes for a specific problem. Learn how this method develops the critical thinking skills used to initiate the application for problem solving.
GEMBA Observations [Go and See, the Real Place]
Learn about the Practical Application for conducting a GEMBA Observation session. Included are general instructions, as well as the GEMBA Observation Sheet Template that is used to document your findings.
Introduction to Kaizen, and the Application of PDCA
Kaizen is applied to measures for implementing incremental improvement. In the context of Learning to See, we do this by identifying, reducing, and the eliminating muda. Learn how we do this in a continuous way with the application of the PDCA Cycle.
Simplified Problem Solving
In order to reduce and eliminate muda, you must apply Structured Problem Solving. This not only provides the basic foundation for LEAN concepts and methods, but is the underlying theme in all of the LEAN Mechanical Tools. Learn the initial steps of these principles with Simplified Problem Solving.
Supplemental Resources
The Learning to See Training Course is comprised of supplemental resources and materials for additional background and more in-depth explanations. Included are links to relevant information that you may find helpful in your LEAN journey.
What to Expect
The Learning to See Training Course is built around five (5) Principles, which are each divided into their own Training Module.
Within each Training Module, you will find a breakdown into smaller lessons – some of them also contain supplemental lessons for additional background and/or different methods about the concept.
Each Training Module is provided with a 1-Page, Quick Reference Guide, as well as a Training Module Summary. At the end of each Training Module, you will find a list of Reflection Questions, so you can consider what you have learned and how you can take the next steps to apply them in a practical way.
Templates are also provided for the GEMBA Observations in an Microsoft Excel downloadable format.
Introduction into Simplified Problem Solving, as well as Supplemental Resources are also provided for your reference, as this is intended to provide you with a more holistic understanding of the Learning to See concepts and methods.