Eyeing Opportunities for Improvement

In 20 years of working with manufacturers on continuous improvement, Ryan Steinert has learned that the most effective CI efforts help employees peek behind the curtain to see and understand what’s happening in manufacturing processes, especially the more complex operations.

“As we have introduced automation and advances into manufacturing, operations have become less visible,” Ryan says. “You have to make processes as transparent as possible even though they are automatic.”

Employees also need to know that they can make improvements even in the most advanced operations. “The last thing we want is for people to be button pushers,” Ryan says. “We want them to know, ‘I can change this. I can make a difference.’”

At our September 10 manufacturing workshop, “Seeing” Continuous Improvement, Ryan will show participants how to make processes transparent to employees. He’ll also explain how to empower employees to make changes that drive improvement. “When they see how each part of the operation fits with the others, they will recognize inefficiencies or waste,” he says.

Ryan emphasizes that consistent, specific communication is essential to any continuous improvement effort. He encourages manufacturers to create scoreboards that show progress toward goals and to conduct daily huddles to review successes and establish priorities. Tying these communication efforts to company purpose and mission further engages and empowers employees.

Using specific exercises and break-out discussions focused on value stream mapping, envisioning current and future states of operations, and identifying top areas for improvement, Ryan will give workshop participants tools they can use to boost operational efficiency and drive improved outcomes.

“They’ll be able to go back and see where they need to make things more visible. Then they can take steps to engage employees to see and make changes,” he says.

We hope you can join us for the workshop on Tuesday, September 10 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at PCL Construction Services in Edina.

You will leave the workshop understanding:
• How to “see” where processes add value and where they don’t
• That giving employees authority to lead and discover more efficient ways of working in their jobs will reduce time and energy wastes while improving productivity and morale
• How to overcome common challenges to adopting a continuous improvement culture

Who Should Attend:
Any manufacturer who knows basic lean concepts and has implemented early steps in Value Stream Mapping, 5S, and Kaizen events, yet seeks a higher level of continuous improvement.

Registration:
This event is exclusive to manufacturers and is free of charge. Registration is required.

Register on our website, click here.

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