Guest Blog: Institute for Operational Excellence Tells Us How to Make Flow Visual
We’re happy to have this guest blog entry from Kevin Duggan of the Institute for Operational Excellence. You can see more from Kevin at FABTECH in Sessions F35: Automation Application Strategies for Product Mix on Monday, Nov. 09: 1:30 – 3:30 PM and F91: Lean Principle: Visual Workplace on Wednesday, Nov. 11: 1:30 – 3:30 PM. Learn more here.Designing end-to-end value stream flow is the first step in achieving Operational Excellence. But the very definition of OpEx — Operational Excellence, where “Each and every employee can see the flow of value to the customer, and fix that flow before it breaks down”SM — requires that the flow be made visual so that each employee can see how the processes are connected to one another and to the customer. In Operational Excellence, just about any visual indicator in the operation should have something to do with the flow or the progression of the flow of product to the customer. Visuals should show how processes are connected, allow the employees to know how product flows from raw material to the customer through these connections, and indicate the part that each employee plays in creating and maintaining this flow. They should also let the employees who work in the flow know whether the flow is on time. With a robust system of static visuals in place that allow employees to see how the flow has been designed and dynamic visuals that show how the design is performing, employees can see if flow is normal or becoming abnormal. If a breakdown in flow is imminent, employees working in the flow can initiate standard corrective action on their own to fix it, without management intervention. In effect, the visuals replace the traditional management activities of scheduling, prioritizing, and expediting. By freeing management from working “in” the business to working “on” it through offensive activities like meeting with customers, evaluating new products, and breaking into new markets, a self-healing, visual flow drives business growth.
Kevin Duggan is a renowned speaker, executive mentor, and educator in applying advanced lean techniques to achieve Operational Excellence and the author of three books on the subject.As the Founder of the Institute for Operational Excellence, the leading educational center on Operational Excellence, and Duggan Associates, an international training and advisory firm, Kevin has assisted many major corporations worldwide, including FMC Technologies, United Technologies Corporation, Pratt & Whitney, Singapore Airlines, IDEX Corporation, GKN and Parker Hannifin. A recognized expert on Operational Excellence, Kevin is a frequent keynote speaker, master of ceremonies, and panelist at international conferences, and has appeared on CNN and the Fox Business Network.
