Operational Excellence
Maturity Assessment
Together with your leadership team, we perform a structured assessment of the current maturity level of your organization. In this process we execute a thorough evaluation of existing processes, utilizing team interviews, and direct observations to identify gaps. These insights are the foundation for a realistic improvement goals to stakeholders, clearly communicating the expected outcomes to manage expectations effectively throughout the maturity journey.
RUN v.s. IMPROVE the business
A good practice is deliberately creating organization separation into two distinctive structures: first to ‘run the business’ and a second to ‘improve the business’. "Run the business" focus is product and service delivery to the customer by following AS-IS processes and procedures. "Improve the business" is a separate ‘shadow’ structure to design and implement TO-BE processes and procedures through radical or incremental improvements. Involve as many employees as possible in improvement. Empower teams to eliminate the root cause of problems. Identify excellence and implement it in a standardized way through the implementation of Leader Standard Work (LSW).
Implement and Manage Change
An integrated change management plan is crucial for ensuring that transformative initiatives are executed smoothly and effectively within an organization. It establishes a clear organizational structure that delineates roles and responsibilities, facilitating accountability and coordination across various teams. Defining top-5 KPIs enables the organization to measure progress and success quantitatively, providing actionable insights for continuous improvement. Furthermore, including a stakeholder engagement plan, risk management plan, and communication plan ensures that all parties are informed, involved, and prepared to navigate challenges, ultimately leading to sustained support and success throughout the change process.
Operational Alignment
Selecting top priorities and developing an improvement project portfolio is essential because it enables organizations to focus their resources and efforts on initiatives that will yield the highest impact. By addressing specific priorities, the organization can ensure that its improvement efforts are aligned with its overall strategic goals, enhancing the likelihood of success. It's also important for the project portfolio to encompass key business pillars such as safety, quality, and people development, as these areas are foundational to long-term operational effectiveness and sustainability. Focusing on these pillars not only mitigates risks and enhances performance but also promotes a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement. Ultimately, a well-rounded project portfolio that addresses these critical business components will drive comprehensive improvements, fostering both immediate results and lasting change.
Visual Management
Visual management plays a crucial role in a production environment by enhancing communication and ensuring that information is easily accessible to all team members. By using visual cues like charts, graphs, and color-coded systems, it helps to quickly convey performance metrics, operational status, and potential issues, fostering a culture of transparency. This clarity enables employees to identify problems promptly, facilitating quicker decision-making and promoting proactive problem-solving. Additionally, visual management supports training and onboarding processes by providing clear references, ultimately enhancing overall efficiency and productivity within the production floor.
5S
Lean 5S is vital in a manufacturing environment as it promotes efficiency and organization by systematically sorting, setting in order, shining, standardizing, and sustaining workplace practices. This methodology helps to eliminate waste, reduce clutter, and enhance safety, leading to a more productive work area that supports streamlined operations. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, 5S encourages employees to take ownership of their workspace, which boosts morale and accountability. Ultimately, the implementation of 5S contributes to higher quality products and reduced lead times, enhancing overall competitiveness in the manufacturing sector.