time for a lean diet continues
improve, control). DMAIC is a collection of
tools used to identify, analyze, and eliminate
sources of variation in a process (Figure 1).
What is Lean Sigma?
Although Lean principles and Six Sigma
are two distinct methodologies, they are being
combined in many organizations as Lean Sigma
to become a roadmap to achieving operational
excellence. Some of the common tools of Lean
Sigma include Cause & Effect Diagrams, FMEA,
Process Mapping, Pareto Analysis, Kanban, DOE,
Capability Studies, Poka-Yoke, Voice of the Customer Analysis, and the principles of Kaizen.
Why Lean Sigma?
Lean Sigma provides a consistent, quantitative problem solving methodology that can
be applied across all operations, industries and
businesses. This process improves the financial
strength of an organization, which directly benefits the company, the employees, and the customer.
I will close by suggesting that the great
Vince Lombardi's words, in his famous speech
on what it takes to be number one, could also
be said of Lean:
"It's not a sometime thing; it's an all the time
thing. You don't win once in a while; you don't do
things right once in a while; you do them right all
the time." PCB
Steve Williams is the president
of Steve Williams Consulting
LLC (www.stevewilliamsconsulting.com) and the former
strategic sourcing manager
for Plexus Corp. He is the
author of the books, Quality
101 Handbook and Survival Is Not Mandatory:
10 Things Every CEO Should Know About Lean.
To read past columns, or to contact Williams,
click here.
video interview
Mentor Graphics Offers End-to-End Solutions
by Real Time with...productronica 2013
Stephan Hafele explains how
Mentor Graphics has recognized
and responded to the changing
face of electronics manufacturing by offering a totally integrated end-to-end solution to supply
chain management and control,
from design through assembly.
Click
realtimewith.com
To View
60
The PCB Magazine • January 2014
