Lean

Question 1

Definition of lean and three key principles

Answer 1

Lean is a philosophy of how to run operations

3 key principles of lean:
The involvement of staff in the operation
The drive for continuous improvement
The elimination of waste

Question 2

4 elements Of lean

Answer 2

Waste elimination
Behaviour
Synchronisation
Customer focus

Question 3

Lean synchronisation

Answer 3

The key principle of lean synchronisation is it means moving towards the elimination of all waste in order to develop an operation that is faster, more dependable
Proxies higher quality p&s
Operates at low cost

Question 4

Theory of constraints - 5 steps

Answer 4

Identify the systems constraint 
Decide how to exploit the constraint 
Subordinate everything to the constraint
Elevate the constraint - eliminating it 
(Only if step 2&3 are not successful, major changes to the existing system are considered at this step)
Start again from step 1

Question 5

Comparison of lean synchronisation and theory of constrains - overall objectives

Answer 5

Theory of constraints overall objective is to increase profit by increasing the throughput of a process or operation

Whereas lean synchronisation objectives are to increase profit by adding value from the customers perspective t

Question 6

Comparison of lean synchronisation and theory of constraints - measure of effectiveness

Answer 6

Theory of constraints measures its effectiveness by throughput, inventory and operating expense

Whereas, lean synchronisation measures effectiveness by cost, throughput time and value added efficiency

Question 7

How does theory of constraints achieve improvement compared to lean synchronisation

Answer 7

Theory of constraints achieve improvement by focusing on the cosntraints (the weakest link in the princess

Whereas lean synchronisation Achieves Improvemnt by eliminating waste and added value by considering the entire process, operation or supply network

Question 8

How to implement theory of constraints to lean synchronisation

Answer 8

How to implement the theory of constraints is by the five step continuous process of:

Identifying the system constraint
Decide how to exploit the constraint
Subordinate everything to the constant 
Elevate the constraint 
Start again from step 1

Whereas for lean synchronisation to implant needs continuous improvement emphasising the whole supply network

Question 9

Examples of how lean approaches

Answer 9

Value stream mapping - used to improve any process where there are repeatable steps and especially when there are multiple handoffs.