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MAY 2025 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 47 › Overprocessing: Adding unnecessary features › Defects: Products requiring rework › Skills underutilization: Ignoring employee expertise Engage employees • Train teams: Educate employees on Lean tools and techniques • Encourage participation: Foster a culture of continuous improvement Lean tools and techniques • Kanban: Visualize workflow to prevent overproduction • Just-In-Time ( JIT): Align production with demand • Poka-Yoke: Error-proofing mechanisms • Total Productive Maintenance (TPM): Minimize equipment downtime Monitor and adjust • Continuous improvement: Regularly evaluate and refine processes • Feedback loop: Use employee feedback to make adjustments While each quality management method- ology has strengths and weaknesses, Lean and Six Sigma are oen most recommended for manufacturing environments due to their strong focus on process efficiency, waste reduction, and defect minimization. Combin- ing Lean and Six Sigma (Lean Six Sigma), as we have seen in many manufacturing compa- nies worldwide, can provide a comprehen- sive approach to continuous improvement, Understand Define value Align production with customer needs Map the value stream Identify all steps in the production or business process Create flow Ensure smooth, uninterrupted workflows Establish pull Produce only what is needed, when it's needed Pursue perfection Continuously refine processes Lean Principles leveraging the strengths of both methodolo- gies while ensuring that solid data drives your improvement efforts. Implementing contin- uous improvement methodologies in manu- facturing can significantly enhance efficiency, reduce defects, and improve overall perfor- mance, ultimately leading to happier custom- ers and better profitability. PCB007 Resources There are many online resources that help define and explain how to implement Lean and Six Sigma principles. Here are some I recommend and that were used to write this article: • "Six Sigma vs Lean Six Sigma: What's the Difference?" Purdue University • Six Sigma, CFI • "Six Sigma Simplified: Understanding Its Princi- ples for Business Excellence," Six Sigma Online • "Difference Between Lean and Six Sigma," Key Differences • "9 Companies That Use Lean Manufacturing," shoplogix • "Top 10: Lean manufacturing companies in the world," Manufacturing Digital • "7 success stories of continuous improvement in manufacturing," CCI Tracc • "Lean Management Case Studies Library," by Chet Marchwinski, Lean Enterprise Institute • "Inside Intel—How 'Lean Thinking' could pave the road for future chip investment," by John Kennedy, Silicon Republic • "Intel Extends Lean to Its Supply Chain: Les- sons From the Transformation to Customer- Driven Supply Planning, Gartner • "How to Implement Lean Manufacturing: Prin- ciples, Techniques, and Benefits," Industrial Trainer • "How to Implement Lean Manufacturing: A Step-by-Step Action Plan," D&V Business Con- sulting