Have you ever reached the end of a busy day feeling exhausted yet struggling to identify what you accomplished? You're not alone.
Research shows that approximately 90% of our activities—both at work and home—could be classified as Non-Value-Added (WASTE). This revelation from Lean Thinking principles might sound shocking, but it also presents an incredible opportunity for improvement.
In its simplest form, a VA activity creates direct value
As a Lean Six Sigma (LSS) practitioner, I've recently found myself in numerous conversations where people quickly assert, "Oh yeah, LSS - that's what DOGE is using." This comment is invariably followed by either passionate praise or vehement criticism of the actions.
This raises an intriguing question: Is DOGE genuinely implementing Lean Six Sigma to achieve their government efficiency goals?
On the surface, it seems like a natural fit. DOGE's mission of eliminating government waste an…
In 2002, during a press briefing about the Iraq War, then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld made a statement that would unexpectedly revolutionize how we think about decision-making. He spoke about "known knowns," "known unknowns," and "unknown unknowns" – a framework that would later become known as the Rumsfeld Matrix. While its origins lie in national security, this elegant framework has proven invaluable for business leaders, project managers, and individuals seeking to make better de…
Have you ever wondered how successful organizations and individuals consistently improve and adapt? Two powerful frameworks, the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) and its evolution, the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act), have been driving continuous improvement for decades. While they might seem similar at first glance, their subtle differences can significantly impact how we approach problem-solving and improvement, both in professional and personal contexts.
Let's dive into these methodologies and discov…
Jack Welch's tenure at GE was nothing short of revolutionary. He …
In the fast-paced world of business and personal development, managing time effectively isn't just a skill—it's a superpower. Enter the Eisenhower Matrix, a simple yet profound time management tool that can revolutionize how you approach tasks and prioritize your life.
Named after President Dwight D. Eisenhower, this matrix helps you categorize tasks into four quadrants based on two crit…
Have you ever found yourself frantically searching for instructions while in the middle of a task? Or perhaps you've watched customers struggle to find basic information that should be readily available. A powerful Lean thinking concept addresses this common frustration: making information accessible exactly where and when it's needed.
As Ryan Tierney from Lean Made Simple perfectly puts it, "Wherever you ask the question, that's where the answer shoul…
Every January, millions of people embark on a well-intentioned journey of self-improvement, armed with a laundry list of New Year's resolutions. Yet, by February, a staggering 80% of these resolutions have already fallen by the wayside. Does this sound familiar?
The problem isn't your lack of motivation or willpower—maybe it's your approach.
In a recent post, I discussed the inefficiencies and bottlenecks batching creates. This also applies to attempting to overhaul multiple aspects …
In the world of continuous improvement, few concepts are as transformative as one-piece flow – a lean principle that can reshape how you think about work and productivity. But what exactly is one-piece flow, and why should you care?
One-piece flow (also known as single-piece flow or continuous flow) refers to a single unit being worked on and moved to the next stage as soon as it's completed, rather than waiting for a batch to be finished before moving on…
