X+5.3+Lean+Production

LEAN PRODUCTION.


The concept of making your Production 'leaner' is about getting rid of waste in the production process

Nothing useful should be wasted. Time, raw materials, space, money, ideas - all of these should be used to their maximum. Any waste of any of them decreases efficiency

etc
 * If a task should only take 20 minutes and is taking 25 minutes, __ ** Time ** __ - in the form of 5 minutes - is being wasted
 * If an activity can be comfortably performed in 10m2 but is being allocated 15m2, then __ **Space** __ - in the form of 5m2 - is being wasted.
 * If an employee has a great idea, but never gets the opportunity to express it then their idea is being wasted.



Lean Production is the implementation of these strategies, thousands of ways, little and big - that ensure minimum waste is occurring. In saying that it becomes clear that there are 2 vital components behind lean production ... [1] Less Waste [2] Grater Efficiency

While any strategy that reduces waste or increases efficiency would be considered part of a lean system, the IB syllabus identifies the following as the key strategies
 * 1) Kaizen
 * 2) Just In Time (developed in unit 5.5)
 * 3) Kanban
 * 4) Andon
 * 5) Cradle-to-cradle design
 * 6) Quality Circles
 * 7) Benchmarking
 * 8) TQM
 * 9) Quality Control
 * 10) Quality Standards

// * note that any strategy to improve worker motivation and thereby improve their efficiency __is__ part of Lean Production, however as IBérs we study these strategies under a different title "Unit 3 H.R.M." //


 * AS WITH PRETTY MUCH ALL TOPICS YOU WILL NEED TO KNOW... **
 * [1] The pro's and con's of each system **
 * [2] be able to make a justified recommendation to a particular Case Study as to what strategy is most likely to lead to improved performance for them. **

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