Continuous Improvement with Lean

Companies everywhere, no matter what their industry, can benefit from the principles of continuous improvement with Lean. Whether they adopt a very formal process or commit to something less structured, they can follow its principles and improve their bottom line by reducing wasted time and resources.

This course is designed for learners who have completed the pre-requisite Lean Process Improvement course, and perhaps have been involved in implementation of its principles in their workplace. It is the ideal next step along the path of learning and creating a workplace culture committed to continuous improvement.

After you complete this course, you will be able to:

• Describe what continuous improvement with Lean is all about.
• Explain the concepts of the continuous improvement cycle: Identify, Plan, Execute, and Review.
• Apply Lean continuous improvement concepts to a case study.
• Present ideas for continuous improvement.

Course Topics:

Session One: Course Overview

• Learning Objectives 

Session 2: Defining Continuous Improvement

• Definitions
• Continuous Improvement
• Pre-Assignment Review
• How Can Lean Help?
• Fully Adopted
• Four-Stage Cycle
• Making Connections

Session 3: Stage One – Identify Areas For Improvement

• Making It Valuable
• Test the Theory

Session 4: Stage Two – Create a Plan for Improvement

• Building the Plan
• Breaking Down the Steps
• Next Steps
• Where Are You At?

Session 5: Stage Three – Implement the Changes

• Taking the Lead
• Staying Focused
• Value Stream

Session 6: Stage Four – Review the Impact

• Remember to be Green with Lean
• Making Connections
• The Review Stage
• Checklist for Success
• The Three-Foot Circle
• Review in Progress
• Making Connections

Session 7: Test Driving

• Background Information
• Case Study, Part One
• Case Study, Part Two
• Identify Opportunities for Improvement
• Define the Process to Improve
• Toolkit: Flow Charts, Part One
• Toolkit: Flow Charts, Part Two
• Toolkit: Flow Charts, Part Three
• Toolkit: Ishikawa Diagrams
• Toolkit: SIPOC Diagrams, Part One
• Toolkit: SIPOC Diagrams, Part Two
• Toolkit: Value Stream Map, Part One
• Toolkit: Value Stream Map, Part Two
• Work on Your Plan
• Polish Your Plan