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Image: Standardized Work

Standardized Work in Lean Manufacturing. Everything to Know

Standardized work is a critical concept in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies. It refers to the process of documenting the best and most efficient way to perform a task or a series of tasks, and then training employees to follow those standardized procedures. By establishing standardized work, organizations can ensure consistent, efficient, and high-quality […]

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Jidoka – Toyota Production System. A Complete Guide (2024)

Jidoka, often referred to as “autonomation” or “intelligent automation,” is a fundamental principle of the renowned Toyota Production System (TPS) and a cornerstone of lean manufacturing. This powerful quality control concept empowers workers to detect defects, stop production, and address quality issues immediately, rather than allowing problems to propagate through the manufacturing process. Key Highlights […]

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Image: Process Variation in Lean Six Sigma

Process Variation in Lean Six Sigma. Everything to Know

Process variation is one of the most common obstacles I encounter that prevents organizations from reaching their potential.  At its core, process variation refers to uncontrolled or unexpected differences in a process’s outputs. While some degree of natural variability exists in all processes, excessive variation is the enemy of efficient, high-quality operations. With years of […]

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Image: Process Capability Index (Cpk) for Business Success

Six Sigma Principles. Process Capability Index (Cpk) for Business Success

The process capability index, or Cp and Cpk for short, is a crucial tool for monitoring and controlling how much variation a process encounters about its specification limitations. These statistical measures offer insightful information about how well a process is operating and what actions could be required to make improvements. Quick Overview Understanding Process Capability […]

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Image: 3P Lean Methods in Six Sigma

3P Lean Methods in Six Sigma. A Definitive Guide (2024)

It is critical to optimize processes for effectiveness and the production of value for customers. To align processes with lean concepts and client objectives, the 3P (Production Preparation Process) methodology offers an organized approach to process design or redesign. Fundamentally, 3P Lean entails cross-functional teams working together to assess the current state, find waste and […]

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Image: Conquering Waste Through One Piece Flow

Conquering Waste Through One Piece Flow. A Lean Approach

One piece flow, also known as single piece flow, is a lean manufacturing concept that allows products to smoothly flow through production processes one piece at a time.  It is a pull production system where downstream processes signal their needs to upstream processes, which then produce just what is needed by the next step. Key […]

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Image: Takt time for Production Excellence

Takt time for Production Excellence. Calculate and Implement

Takt time is a foundational concept in lean manufacturing that helps organizations match production with customer demand.  The term “takt” comes from the German word taktzeit, which translates to “cycle time”. It is the maximum time allowed to produce one piece without falling behind or getting ahead of customer demand. At its core, takt time […]

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Featured Image: Heijunka

Drive Production with Heijunka. Lean Manufacturing with Lean Six Sigma

Heijunka, which was initially adapted from the Toyota Production System, is now a crucial component of lean production in several different sectors. The primary objective of Heijunka is to precisely sequence things to spread production volume and product mix evenly over a certain amount of time. This produces a balanced, consistent, and predictable workflow that […]

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Ishikawa diagram

When to use Ishikawa Diagram?

What is Ishikawa diagram? The Ishikawa diagram portrays the causes of an effect and is used in manufacturing and other services such as product development. It outlines a process and its steps, shows where quality control problems might appear, and determines which resources are needed at given times.  Who invented it? It was first designed […]

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jit manufacturing

Important Principles of JIT Manufacturing

How does an organization sell all goods manufactured while lowering costs and increasing customer satisfaction? One of the best ways to achieve this is through just-in-time manufacturing, (JIT). It is a Lean thinking philosophy that focuses on demand-based production, as well as the production of quality products and organization-wide continuous improvement. It is a system […]

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Six Sigma - Manufacturing Sector DFSS

DFSS: Designing With Perfection in Six Sigma

It is not a secret that business owners that have products they manufacture are constantly making adjustments. These adjustments are made in the manufacturing or production processes; they may even have to eat part of the profits in refunds because of product or service malfunctions, or failure to meet customer expectations. The kiss of death for […]

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lean manufacturing

[Infographic] Key Principles of Lean Manufacturing

In Lean Six Sigma, it is all about the customer. They define the quality they expect from your product or service. The day-to-day processes should only consist of what brings value to your product or service, and that is determined by your customer.  Remember, anything that doesn’t bring value to your product or service is […]

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Kanban Reduces Overhead Expenses

In running a successful manufacturing business, making a profit and offering great prices for high-quality products can be a balancing act. In fact, it may seem like you’re being pulled in many different directions just to keep up! One way to keep costs down while still producing what you need is by using Kanban practices.  […]

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design for manufacturing dfm

DFM: The High Cost of Manufacturing Can Be Solved

When designing a new product, you might get caught up in the excitement of the possibilities of the success of the product, so much so that using the Six Sigma template for Design for Manufacturing (DFM) might not have caught your eye. Yet, it should be the very first place you go before you start […]

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Tesla Six Sigma

Tesla is Lean Six Sigma at Its Finest

The future of Six Sigma is here! Who knew it would come in the form of robots working at Tesla’s production line? It takes Tesla three days to build a car, starting from raw materials — to finishing the very last detail. They seem to practice the Kaizen system of constant improvements. According to Gilbert […]

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product design DFM six sigma

DFM: Designing with Simplicity in Mind

The primary goal of Six Sigma is to improve what already exists. We want to work more efficiently and effectively, by eliminating waste, increasing customer satisfaction, which will ultimately generate more profits. So what if you want to design a product that has cost effectiveness already built in?  Here is an interesting statistic — about […]

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Practicing Due Diligence: Signs of a Legitimate Professional

When searching for your first, or next, Six Sigma course, it’s important to be on the lookout for illegitimate practitioners. These practitioners may talk you in to paying more for a course than you should, falsely advertise their program, or fall through on their certification promises. Regardless of the reason, there will always be a […]

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Practicing Due Diligence: Signs of a Legitimate Practitioner

At 6sigma.us, we focus on providing the absolute best training and certification programs to professionals in all industries. Whether you’re in marketing, finance, manufacturing, or logistics, our programs will benefit your career and your organization. We have spent our time helping you decipher the legitimate practitioners apart from the phonies. We do this by focusing […]

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Six Sigma and KPI’s: Waste Reduction Rate

One of the core philosophies behind Six Sigma is waste reduction. This idea results from improving your organization’s efficiency and deterring production and manufacturing errors. However, simply saying that you wish to reduce waste can be a rather broad term. To help with this, we will introduce you to a simple KPI that measures your […]

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training

Training & Life: When to Start Your Course

No matter what industry you work in, at some point, gaining Six Sigma certification will be highly beneficial to your career. Although it’s mostly common for professionals in manufacturing and production to enroll in training, countless other industries are now expecting their employees to have a basic understanding of Six Sigma. So, when is it […]

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