Moving to masters
An individual reflective report
A personal development plan
Name: Klara Kovarikova
Student Number: 13803236
Tutors: Vicky Richards
Word Count:
Hand in date: 13th December 2013
Introduction to the lean
The aim of lean manufacturing is to achieve substantial competitive advantages on the market. It is an interest for all companies through around the world to become competitive. Companies at all sizes applied lean principles and do improvement in quality, productivity, customer service and profitability. Bhasin (2004) point out that lean production should be view as a philosophy not as a process. It is an overall mapping of process from the raw material to the final customer. The word "lean" is chosen to explain the strategy which enables to produce more for less. Quarteman (2007) said, there was a misconception that lean only works in big companies with repetitive and high volume activities but lean was successful in many kind of industries.
Lean production examines the process as a whole. There is a need to achieve a smooth production flow and to eliminate waste.
Implementation of lean
To implement the lean principles in practice, company should follow several steps:
Evaluate current state
First of all the company has to examine all areas of process where it will be appropriate to implement lean techniques. Process mapping help us to draw it. Process mapping helps to
Spotlight to waste
Streamline the work processes
Define and standardise
Promote deep understanding
Build consensus
http://www.strategosinc.com/process_map_example.htm
Waste means all activity that does not add any value in the process. The other term for waste is MUDA. Where the waste is found lean philosopthy should be applied. According to Slack (2013), the elimination of waste is a core lean idea. Toyota have identified 7 different types of waste in operations, both in service and...