How Continuous Improvement Principles Can Help Nevada Manufacturers Move Forward During Uncertain Times
Written By: Tom Simpkins, Project Manager | NVIE
December 7, 2020 | NVIE
Some Nevada manufacturers may find themselves wondering how to move forward amidst the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. The unknowns of what course and timeframe the pandemic will take can wreak havoc on strategic plans.
Meanwhile, your competition is marching ahead on their own quest for increased market share. So how can you move forward with your plans to achieve your operational goals during the pandemic? Continuous improvement principles can help guide the way.
Continuous improvement is a mindset that can help your operation move forward during times of uncertainly. Time-tested lean tools are designed to help you pinpoint areas for improvement and generate strategies to address them. Creating a culture of continuous improvement is one that encourages ideas and empowers your team to question if there is a better way to do something.
A recent article published in Quality Digest by Sue Via of TechSolve, our sister MEP National Network member in Ohio, identifies five specific continuous improvement tools manufactures can utilize to be more proactive during the pandemic:
- Value stream mapping. Mapping all the steps required to bring a product or service to the customer
- Standard work. The procedures used to make products in the most effective way possible
- Training strategy and methodology. How workers are onboarded and helped to understand the rationale behind their work
- Problem-solving process. Surfacing and addressing the root cause, as opposed to the symptoms, of a problem
- "Just do it" attitude. A proactive approach to taking action that emphasizes accountability
Starting with simple process mapping helps you see the “35,000 foot view” of your process while creating standard work helps you dive to the granular level. From there, training your team to identify and provide solutions to address problems becomes your pathway towards improvement. This can be applied to any process in your operation and can result in improved efficiency, increased sales, decreased costs and much more.
Read the full article to get more in-depth tips.
Want to create a continuous improvement culture in your business? NVIE has the tools and know-how to help you get there.
Contact NVIE and talk to your Project Manager.
Email us at info@nvie.nevada.com
Call Us At: 800-637-4634
