Exploring approaches how to measure a lean process

Christer Österman (Author), Anders Fundin (Author)

Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of the research is to explore a practical method of measuring the implementation of lean in a process. The method will be based on examining the abilities of a group. At this scale the ability to work standardized and solve problems is important. These two abilities are dependent of each other and are fundamental for the group's ability to create a stable result. In this context the method of standardized work (SW) is define to be the methods used in a process to generate stable results. Problem solving (PS) is defined as the methods used to return a process to a condition where SW is possible. Methodology /approach: The research is conducted in a multiple case study in four large global manufacturing companies. The order of the data collection is: Firstly, interviews with the individuals that are centrally responsible for overall implementation of lean in the organization. Secondly, observe the implementation of SW and PS at the group level. In total 7 groups have been studied and 19 respondents interviewed. Findings: Results show that the central definition of the methods for standardized work does not by itself have a direct impact on success of implementation of SW at group level. The method of SW where similar on a general level in the different cases, but with varying levels of implementation at group level was applied. Results also show that key factors for a successful implementation of standardized work on group level are: Ownership of the process, Direct connection to result of process, Correct workload and Leader demand. Methods of PS at group level where dissimilar despite a superficially similar approach. The evaluation method used was successful in providing comparable results between the cases. Research limitations: A limitation of this research is within the scale of the measurement, as it only examines the group level. The research is further limited to four companies and seven groups. Originality/value of paper: This paper aims to fill a gap in the established measurement methods of lean, as it examines the abilities of SW and PS at the group level of a process. These abilities are often referred to as essential in lean theory. However, there has been little scholarly work in defining the methods of SW and PS or the key factors affecting the methods at an operational level.

Keywords

lean;performance measures;problem solving;standardized work;stability;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2014
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UM FOV - Faculty of Organizational Sciences
UDC:	658.51
COBISS:	283312384
ISSN:	1318-5454
Parent publication:	Organizacija
Views:	725
Downloads:	302
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary language:	Slovenian
Secondary title:	Raziskava pristopov k merjenju vitkega proizvodnega procesa
Secondary abstract:	Namen: Namen raziskave je proučiti praktično uporabno metodo za merjenje vitkosti v proizvodnih procesih. Metoda je osnovana na raziskovanju sposobnosti skupine. Na tej ravni je pomembna sposobnost delati po standardih in reševati probleme. Ti dve sposobnosti sta med seboj odvisni in sta ključni za to, da skupina dosega stabilen rezultat. V tej zvezi je je metoda standardiziranega dela (SW) opredeljena kot metoda, uporabljena, da v procesu generira stabilne rezultate. Reševanje problemov (PS) je definirano kot zbir metod, ki se uporabijo za vračanje procesa v pogoje, kjer je možno standardizirano delo. Metodologija/pristop: Raziskava je bila izvedena kot študija več primerov v štirih velikih globalnih proizvodnih podjetjih. Zaporedje zbiranja podatkov je bilo naslednje: najprej smo izvedli intervjuje z managerji, ki so bili odgovorni za celotno uvedbo vitkosti v organizaciji. Nato smo opazovali uvedbo standardiziranega dela in reševanja problemov na ravni skupine. V celoti smo proučevali 7 skupin in izvedli intervjuje s 19 osebami. Ugotovitve: Rezultati kažejo, da osrednja definicija metod za standardizirano delo sama po sebi nima neposrednega vpliva na uvedbo standardiziranega dela na ravni skupine. Metode standardiziranega dela so bile v različnih primerih podobne na splošni ravni, toda na nivoju grup uporabljene v različnem obsegu. Rezultati tudi kažejo, da so ključni dejavniki za uspešno uvedbo standardiziranega dela na nivoju skupine naslednji: lastništvo procesa, neposredna povezava procesa in rezultatov dela, primerna delovna obremenitev in zahteve vodje. Metode reševanja problemov na ravni skupine so bile različne kljub – površno gledano – podobnemu pristopu. Metoda vrednotenja, ki smo jo uporabili, je bila uspešna in je dala rezultate, primerljive med različnimi proučevanimi primeri. Omejitve raziskave: Omejitev je , da v obsegu merjenja proučuje le raven skupin. Rezultati so nadalje omejeni na 4 podjetja in 7 skupin. Originalnost: Cilj članka je zapolniti vrzel v uveljavljenih metodah merjenja vitkosti kadar proučujemo možnosti standardiziranega dela in reševanja problemov na skupinski ravni procesa. Te sposobnosti so pogosto opisane kot ključne za teorijo vitke proizvodnje. Znanih je malo akademskih raziskav v zvezi z definicijo metod standardiziranega dela in reševanja problemov ali ključnih dejavnikov, ki vplivajo na te metode na operativnem nivoju.
Secondary keywords:	podjetja;organizacija proizvodnje;proizvodni procesi;
URN:	URN:NBN:SI
Type (COBISS):	Scientific work
Pages:	str. 132-142
Volume:	ǂVol. ǂ47
Issue:	ǂno. ǂ3
Chronology:	aug. 2014
DOI:	10.2478/orga-2014-0012
ID:	10883845