Lean  Learning  Laboratory  -  L3

 

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A laboratory is a working environment where experiments take place.  In the Lean Learning Laboratory (L3), you have the chance to experiment with the structure of the enterprise and learn through direct experience what is required to streamline it.

 

You may have seen demonstrations of production methods (push, pull and work cells) and applied them within your own environment.  However, many people find that peripheral support functions limit the progress that is made.  Unless the whole enterprise is aligned to the new direction, only limited progress will be made.

 

With your assistance, we answer the questions:

How does lean play out into non-manufacturing functions?

How do changes on the floor impact indirect functions?

What are the support roles?

How much more mileage can we get by extending lean throughout the enterprise?

 

In the Lean Learning Laboratory (L3), you will work with the whole enterprise and its supply base.  You will have an opportunity to experiment with:

-         Marketing and customer relations: How do you interface with the customer and translate their ideas back into your organization? How do you influence what happens in the factory when you have no direct control?

-         Finance: What does it take to improve profits? What should be measured and what is counterproductive?

-         The role of engineering: How do you translate design issues to manufacturing? How should you measure engineering?

-         The material flow pipeline, including planning, purchasing, warehousing and suppliers: What is the cost of material in the pipeline? How can you manage the material flow all the way from suppliers to finished goods? Do you really need a warehouse? How do you set-up delivery with suppliers? How can you cut inventories 75% without paralyzing the business?

-         Production technologies (Push, pull and work cells): What works and what doesn’t? What does it take to optimize your processes?

-         The role of incoming and in-process quality: What should they be doing? What should they NOT be doing?

-         How top management can most effectively implement rapid progress; what does it take to move people rapidly? Where can you most effectively apply your influence to create change? What tactics are counter-productive?

 

Your success will be measured by the profit (or loss) of the enterprise (almost like real life!). 

 

 

Who should attend:

Lean Learning Laboratory is appropriate for anyone in the corporation.  However, it is particularly useful for:

-         CEO's and keepers of the corporate vision

-         Change agents and those tasked with major change initiatives

-         Professionals in charge of and working in the following areas:

-         Marketing, materials, quality, production, purchasing, engineering, finance

-         Members of companies that support Lean customers

 

 

 

Michael Harding has many years of industrial management experience and 14 years as a lean consultant. He has been an AME board member since 1988.  Mike hold three degrees and has authored three books on Lean. He is the former Corporate Manager of JIT Education and Training for Digital Equipment.

 

Mary Lu Harding has been a lean consultant and trainer for ten years. She holds two technical degrees and is a former product and R&D manager. Mary Lu has many published articles, has co-authored a book on materials, and has worked with clients in North America and Asia to achieve Lean.
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