Lean Kaizen Techniques for Pharma

The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a transformation where Six Sigma, lean, and kaizen methods can be used to instill the discipline necessary to achieve operational efficiencies and accelerate new product development. This article discusses techniques for blending the methodologies in the improvement process, such as the project charter and selection steps. ...

... "One approach is to integrate the chartering activity from the Six Sigma roadmap at the outset of the Kaizen blitz. The chartering exercise is crucial at the beginning of a Lean Kaizen in order to establish clear project success metrics, definition, expectations, communication, and milestones. " ...

Via Pharmaceutical Processing: Lean Kaizen

Minitab Recognized For Six Sigma in Manufacturing

Minitab is recognized by Frost and Sullivan with its Award for Customer Value Leadership of the Year in the quality compliance, manufacturing productivity and statistical process control market. ...

... "Using the Minitab packages, customers have been able to achieve a greater degree of standardization in their quality improvement projects, which in turn has made these projects easy to supervise and manage. This has minimized the amount of resources required to complete individual projects and saved companies time and money at the overall project level. In addition to reducing costs, Minitab software has enabled project leaders to easily access more information at various crucial stages of a project, allowing them to make more informed decisions. Minitab's wide set of customer services and allied support activities are other competitive advantages that differentiate it from other participants. The company boasts of a strong technical support suite that provides free assistance to its users and helps identify customers' most recent requirements, thereby obtaining their confidence. Minitab's recently released Minitab(R) 15 Statistical Software includes very useful enhancements, such as probability distribution plots, broader Gage R&R capabilities, the ability to attach formulas to columns in the worksheet and the latest reliability methods for forecasting future warranty claims. " ...

Via Frost & Sullivan: Frost & Sullivan Extols Minitab Inc. for Its Ability in Assisting Customers to Make Optimum Utilization of their Resources

Project Portfolio Management: SixSigma Lean Initiatives

Brambles selects Instantis EnterpriseTrack software to manage its Six Sigma, Lean, and IT project portfolios. Per Julie Brignac, Brambles Vice President ...

... "EnterpriseTrack allows us to easily configure multiple strategic project portfolios, each tailored to meet our specific needs. EnterpriseTrack is being deployed globally within the company's Quality organizations initially. We were able to communicate our requirements to the Instantis services team, and they had us up and running relatively quickly, added Brignac. " ...

Via Instantis: Achieve Performance Excellence

Project Portfolio Management: Six Sigma ...

SAP updates its project portfolio management software. It supports management of the Six Sigma project portfolio, enabling project selection at the Define gate of the DMAIC process and monitoring progress through the lifecycle. ...

... "The latest version of SAP xRPM offers new capabilities allowing companies to utilize a single application for portfolio management across different functional groups in the organization. Users are empowered to best prioritize resource allocation by scoring portfolio items based on aggregation of both qualitative and quantitative criteria, such as risk, feasibility and commercial value. SAP xRPM also provides new specialized templates and configurations that deliver support for operational groups including new product development, IT, enterprise asset management and Six Sigma. " ...

Via SAP: SAP Customers Execute Business Strategy with Solution for Portfolio Management

Kaizen Team Leaders Guide ...

BMG enhances the kaizen event for team leaders with updated guide. ...

... "This guide, co-authored by BMG Lean Master William Wes Waldo, and Lean Master/co-inventor of the SCORE methodology Tom Jones, provides users with the roadmap, tools, templates, and skills needed for moving efficiently through the SCORE process. Kaizen, meaning change for the better in Japanese, is used in Lean transformations to break down the project mentality of an organization and create a bias toward action. SCORE (Select, Clarify, Organize, Run & Evaluate) is BMG's methodology for implementing effective Kaizen events that really do change a company for the better. SCORE expands Lean's traditional Kaizen event with four additional improvement steps, adding critical project selection, planning and evaluation to the traditional running of an event." ...

Via BMG: Breakthrough Management Group Publishes First Comprehensive Team Leader's Guide to Lean Kaizen Events

SixSigma Lunch Meeting August24 ...

SixSigma Lunch Meeting August24: August 24, 2005: Monthly Meeting: Alpharetta Lunch ‘n Learn: ISO, Six Sigma, CMMI, OPM3 - Which is Right for You? ...

Local PMI chapter offers lunch meeting to discuss selection of the right project methodology, such as Six Sigma ...

... "The Project Management Institute (PMI) Atlanta Chapter is starting up a regular Lunch 'n Learn in the Alpharetta area, based on the success of the downtown luncheon meeting. The first meeting will hosted by Thoughtmill on the topic ISO, Six Sigma, CMMI, OPM3: Which is Right for You? " ...

Tag: Six Sigma

Six Sigma Project Selection and Execution

Six Sigma Project Selection and Execution: PM Perspectives: Six Sigma is dedicated to achieving a sustained competitive advantage through continual improvement of all business systems ...

... "They involved Six Sigma teams, from Yellow Belts up to Master Black Belts, applying Six Sigma practices to all phases of the projects. The organizations studied also noted some factors leading to the success of the Six Sigma initiatives. Chief among these were executive management commitment and organizational involvement as well as careful project selection and careful project management methodologies during implementation. " ...

Innovative Six Sigma Project Honored ...

Innovative Six Sigma Project Honored: Bechtel Telecommunications Honored for Innovative Six Sigma Project ...

... "Bechtel Telecommunications received the Most Innovative Six Sigma Project Award honorable mention for their Alternative Site Selection Process Improvement using Bechtel's Virtual Survey Tool (VST) for network deployment. The award was presented to Bechtel Telecommunications at the Sixth Annual European Six Sigma Summit in London on April 27th. Bechtel's VST enables integration of the Site Acquisition and Network Planning activities for network deployment, to quickly and cost effectively make accurate site selections from a desktop environment. " ...

In 2000, Bechtel became the first major engineering and construction company to embrace the industry-leading process improvement program, Six Sigma. Six Sigma uses a rigorous set of tools and methodologies designed to produce dramatic enhancements in work quality, profitability, customer and employee satisfaction, and leadership of business enterprises. With more than 83,000 wireless sites deployed, and 23,000 kilometers of wireline fiber laid, Bechtel is the global company of choice for network deployment.

Six Sigma Energy Assessments: A Methodology for Analysis ...

Six Sigma Energy Assessments: Plant Uses Six Sigma Methodology and Traditional Heat Balance Analysis to Identify Energy Conservation Opportunities ...

The plant-wide energy assessment at W. R. Grace’s Curtis Bay Works in Baltimore, Maryland, identified four technically and economically viable projects with combined potential savings of $840,000 per year (approximately 96,000 million British thermal units [MMBtu] per year in fuel and 4.8 million kilowatt hours per year [kWh/yr] in electricity).

... The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) cosponsored the assessment through a competitive process. DOE promotes plant-wide energy-efficiency assessments that will lead to improvements in industrial energy efficiency, productivity, and global competitiveness, and will reduce waste and environmental emissions. W. R. Grace & Company’s Davison Product Line produces materials used in petroleum refining, paints, plastics, dentifrices, and edible oil refining. Davison’s products are intermediates for consumer products produced by other companies. Davison, which became part of W. R. Grace in 1954, has 13 production facilities worldwide. The Curtis Bay Works in Baltimore, Maryland, is the largest and most diverse site. The Curtis Bay Works is a multi-plant, multi-product facility covering nearly 90 acres and employing 700 people. Comprising 10 production facilities (Plant #1 through Plant #10) that manufacture thousands of products, Curtis Bay Works is separated into four complexes based on product lines. ...

Six Sigma is a rigorous and disciplined methodology that uses data and statistical analysis to measure and improve operational performance by identifying and eliminating defects in manufacturing and service-related processes. The goal of Six Sigma is to improve products and processes by eliminating variability, defects, and waste. The use of Six Sigma analysis tools provides a unique technique for energy conservation project comparison and selection. The concept can be applied across a broad section of manufacturing industries.

Additional resources on six sigma energy assessments ...

AFE : Strategic Training Partners: include the following: Project Management; Microsoft Project; Six Sigma Quality; ... by manufacturers to conduct pollution prevention and energy assessments, as well ...

National Insulation Association: Representing ... over manufacturing strategies like Six Sigma, total quality ... concurrently through DOE's six regional offices. ... no-cost, one-day energy assessments to eligible ...

Industries of the Future Plant-Wide Energy Efficiency Opportunity: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... Please submit six (6) copies of your technical ... Proposals should be for plant energy assessments that have ... Chemicals Inorganic Products 6 Sigma analysis of new ...

Pollution Prevention and Profitability Go Hand In Hand: of quality and total value, and achieving Six Sigma Quality products and ... Technical assistance includes energy assessments, engineering analyses, and the design ...

Six Sigma Scorecard: Six Sigma Qualtec Announces Business Scorecards, Project Selection ...

From Yahoo News (press release) ... Six Sigma Qualtec (http://www.ssqi.com), a worldwide leader in providing performance improvement consulting, training, and technology ...

Enhancements to SixNet software should make deployment and tracking of Six Sigma performance improvement programs even more efficient ...

... Six Sigma Qualtec (http://www.ssqi.com), a worldwide leader in providing performance improvement consulting, training, and technology solutions to corporations, announced the release of the latest enhancements to SixNet Intelligence(TM), the industry's leading Deployment Management and Project Tracking tool for all Performance Improvement programs. The announcement was made in advance of the IQPC's Integrating & Linking Dashboards, Scorecards and Six Sigma conference, opening next week in New Orleans. The new version of Six Sigma Qualtec's SixNet Intelligence integrates both Balanced Scorecards and General Business scorecards, reflecting a sharpened focus on the Voice of the Customer, a key indicator in business performance improvement efforts. ...

Six Sigma Qualtec is a premier provider of performance improvement consulting, training and technology solutions that drive measurable financial results. Six Sigma Qualtec has successfully helped companies worldwide improve their enterprise value for more than 20 years by placing a focus on the customer, and utilizing that focus to evaluate, measure and improve corporate performance. This approach has significantly enhanced productivity, efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Six Sigma Conference: International Conferences in Chicago and in London to Address SIX SIGMA in Financial Services

NORWICH, England, /PRNewswire/ -- IXPERION are announcing this year's American and European Six Sigma in Finance conferences. The events are scheduled for April 20 & 21, in Chicago; and for 25 & 26 May, in London.

These 2 major events will respond to the ever-growing demand for an unbiased information platform to focus exclusively on Six Sigma for finance operations that are highly regulated and are dealing with substantial financial risks. Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Senior Six Sigma Leaders will gather in Chicago and in London to discuss how to reduce variation and enrich their strategies with Six Sigma tools.

"All senior quality practitioners speaking at the conferences see Six Sigma (Stockholm: SIGMb.ST - news) as a strategic management goal" explains Dr. Uwe Brunssen, Conference Director at IXPERION who are organising the event. " Six Sigma is increasingly accepted as the best approach to create clear deliverables and provide a universal internal language in the financial industry"

Organisations presenting at Six Sigma in Finance include:

GE Mortgage Insurance - Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER - news) - Bank of America (NYSE: BAC - news) - HSBC (LSE: HSBA.L - news - msgs) - GE Corporate Payment Services - Zurich Financial Services (Virt-X: ZURN.VX - news) - Motorola - US Mint - Countrywide Financial (NYSE: CFC - news) - Lloyds TSB (LSE: LLOY.L - news - msgs) - JP Morgan Chase Asset Management - Wachovia - Capital One - Boston Financial Data Services - Wells Fargo Bank - Toshiba - Ceridian Benefits Services Inc. - Standard Register (NYSE: SR - news) - Depository Trust & Clearance Group - Marsh - Sun Microsystems (NASDAQ: SUNW - news) - Skandia (Stockholm: SDIA.ST - news) - NCR Finance - Britannic Assurance, and others.

Experts on a path-finding mission, and experienced Six Sigma practitioners will equally benefit from these high-calibre presentations developed for those who have the responsibility for delivering the best financial products to satisfied customers. Delegates can also register for interactive Six Sigma Workshops and Master classes at each conference, providing a perfect combination of theoretical knowledge and practical insights, such as Transactional Lean & Six Sigma, DfSS in Finance, Project Selection, and Creating a Voice of the Customer Infrastructure. (Early booking recommended, seating is limited).

IXPERION - Six Sigma Conferences is the principal conference company whose investigative research and market-based analyses enable international organisations to benefit from a distinctive pooling of Six Sigma expertise.

Six Sigma Finance: Ceridian to Present Case Study at the 2004 SixSigma in Finance ...

From Business Wire (press release) ... of quality and productivity, will present a case study addressing highlights and lessons learned during the successful roll out of the Six Sigma program for ...

Details: This year's Six Sigma in Finance Conference will focus exclusively on Six Sigma applications in Banking and Finance Operations. Vice Presidents, Presidents, and CEOs will gather in Chicago for 2 days on April 20-21, for information exchange on quality issues and Six Sigma deployment. Six Sigma has proven the best business strategy for securing sound business results in a climate of no-jobs growth and rapid economic change. Key points of discussion are how Six Sigma continues to free up capital for strategic investment, creates clear deliverables, and secures a higher rate of process improvement than many other, existing quality initiatives. Particular attention will be paid to advanced Six Sigma applications, such as Lean & Six Sigma, Project Selection and Execution, and Six Sigma in Supply Chain Management.

Six Sigma Energy Conservation: Plant Uses Six Sigma Methodology and Traditional Heat Balance Analysis

From BestPractices, a program of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) ... BENEFITS Summary: Identified savings of more than 96,000 MMBtu annually in fuel and more than 4.8 million kWh annually in electricity. The plant-wide energy assessment at W. R. Grace’s Curtis Bay Works in Baltimore, Maryland, identified four technically and economically viable projects with combined potential savings of $840,000 per year and can yield an attractive payback period.

This assessment methodology can be employed at any large manufacturing facility. Six Sigma tools provide a unique technique for project comparison and selection. The selected energy conservation projects are not specific to a chemical process or unit operation. W. R. Grace has two other facilities of similar size to which this methodology can also be applied ...