PART II

Lean Tools

Once a process is revealed through its map and its lead time and value-added times, nonvalue-added times, and value-added ratio are computed, opportunities for reducing lead time can be brainstormed. One approach to generating improvement ideas is to, first, convene the improvement team for a brainstorming session to solicit team members’ ideas for reducing lead time. A brainstorming session is effective because one team member’s idea can spark additional ideas from other members. Of course, the typical rules of brainstorming apply—most importantly, that no idea is critiqued or vetted for feasibility during this stage. Criticism can stifle the input of more timid team members, and what is needed at this point is a constructive ...

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