http://management.curiouscatblog.net/2009/11/20/lean-inventories-do-not-excuse-failing-to-deliver/ Management Improvement focused on Deming, lean thinking, innovation, customer focus, six sigma, etc. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:35:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://management.curiouscatblog.net/2009/11/20/lean-inventories-do-not-excuse-failing-to-deliver/comment-page-1/#comment-34406 Bruce Baker Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:30:57 +0000 http://management.curiouscatblog.net/?p=1368#comment-34406 I think kanbans were developed for the purpose of assuring that you always had what you need. I think the intent of standardized work in process is to assure A MINIMUM swip to allow uninterupted production in support of demand. It has been my experience that a lot of people want to 'go lean' to 'get the inventory out.' You can only do this after you reduce lead and increase stability. To much internal focus (like inventory levels and costs) without an external view - preferably from the customers frame of reference - kind of defeats the 'intent of lean.' I think kanbans were developed for the purpose of assuring that you always had what you need. I think the intent of standardized work in process is to assure A MINIMUM swip to allow uninterupted production in support of demand. It has been my experience that a lot of people want to ‘go lean’ to ‘get the inventory out.’ You can only do this after you reduce lead and increase stability. To much internal focus (like inventory levels and costs) without an external view – preferably from the customers frame of reference – kind of defeats the ‘intent of lean.’

]]> http://management.curiouscatblog.net/2009/11/20/lean-inventories-do-not-excuse-failing-to-deliver/comment-page-1/#comment-34405 Tim McMahon Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:07:51 +0000 http://management.curiouscatblog.net/?p=1368#comment-34405 Sounds like a lack of a customer focus. What did they do to understand the demand of the market? Where they too concerned with there own numbers to look at what the customer wanted. I agree lean thinking helps you avoid this type of sitution when done right. Sounds like a lack of a customer focus. What did they do to understand the demand of the market? Where they too concerned with there own numbers to look at what the customer wanted. I agree lean thinking helps you avoid this type of sitution when done right.

]]>