~ STRATEGY & LEAN TRANSFORMATION METHODS ~

Implementing a strategy or performing a lean transformation on an organization requires a specific approach.  Successful projects have the following common elements:

Management Commitment
The upper management demostrates their commitment to the initiative by being the first to commit to learning.

Big Hairy Audacious Goal
We are not talking about the pursuit of single digit percentages of performance improvement. A properly designed Lean Transformation can double the throughput of a factory.

Top-Down and Bottom-Up Implementation
Top down implementation, by itself, is not enough, because the organization will not buy in. Bottom up implementation by itself is not enough because the workers are not empowered, and management actions (business as usual) can undermine the efforts of the initiative. A concurrent top-down and bottom-up approach transforms the culture by engaging the workers while changing management thinking.

Systems Approach
Rather than local optimization through a single point application of some of the tools, SMI transformation initiatives seek to move the needle on corporate financial performance by designing and implementing balanced and harmonious systems.

Training
Training is not just something that is inflicted on the line workers. Upper management seeks new knowledge first, and assumes the role of both teacher and student.

Learn By Doing
The training is delivered just-in-time and is combined with actual projects. The organization combines classroom delivery of new concepts with hands-on learning. Management expects to see results from the actual application of the concepts learned in training.