An Overview of PDCA

PDCA Introduction: The Deming Cycle or The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model is a proven framework for implementing continuous quality improvement. These four steps provide the framework for continuous improvement. The PDCA cycle basically starts with a plan and ends with an action in accordance with the information learned during the process. In later years Deming actually Read More …

The Ability to Execute According to Plan

Planning is important. Maybe even more is the ability to EXECUTE ACCORDING TO PLAN. This does not mean that plans are not adaptable, good ones are. This means though that when we are “in the moment,” we must believe in what we are doing and execute within our existing capabilities. Or in other words, Standard Read More …

Is Training within Industry Back?

Jim Huntzinger has been an advocate of Training within Industry (TWI) for many years. His most recent effort has been the development of a learning website centered on introducing TWI to the masses. I encourage you to take a peek at http://www.whatistwi.com/. Jim Huntzinger has researched at length the evolution of manufacturing in the United Read More …

Theory of Constraints = Buffer Management

Dr. Eli Goldratt, founder of the Theory of Constraints, said Reaching The Goal: How Managers Improve a Services Business Using Goldratt’s Theory of Constraints was one of the best books ever written on TOC. It was published in 2008 by IBM Press and authored by Dr. John Ricketts, a practitioner and innovator in the field Read More …

Innovators Congenital Myopia

It’s all about breaking the old business model and innovating new models. In with the new, out with the old is every innovator’s mantra. The perfect example is Dean Kamen. You remember Dean, don’t you? He had this product called the Segway that was ready to revolutionize the way we traveled in cities. However, it Read More …

How to Find Future Constraints

I always think innovation is forward thinking. How do I know where that constraint is in the future? I asked that question of Mike Dalton, the founder of Guided Innovation Group, whose simple mission is helping companies turn their new product innovation into bottom-line impact. The Guided Innovation System™, their unique TOC-based approach to rapid innovation Read More …