Processing
waste is defined as:
Any
effort that adds no value to the product or service from
the customer's viewpoint.
Think
about the number of signatures that are required on an order
entry form in your organization. Does the customer really want
to pay for 5, 6, 7... signatures for his order?
What
about all the engineering changes to "improve" the
product? When these changes are implemented, are the associated
processes changed to meet the new criteria?
What
about all those extra copies that are made in the name of "improved
communication"? Is communication improved or made more effective
by giving someone a piece of paper?
Are
the customer's requirements truly defined? Do you know the customer's
expectations? If not, there will be extra processing somewhere
down the line.
These
questions point to how you can eliminate waste within your organization.
Production, purchasing, shipping/receiving, engineering, document
control, quality, etc. all play a roll in creating or eliminating
processing waste.
Developing
a system that minimizes waste but maximizes communication of
the customer's requirements and the company's expectations to
meet those requirements is a foundation pillar for success.
Processing
waste, like many other waste factors, is an integral part of
the overall business system, which guides the company. When a
company targets eliminating waste, all sorts of opportunities
arise. Many times these are hidden or masked by another symptom.
The more waste you eliminate, the more you uncover.
CITEC
can help you identify the causes and sources of waste within
your operation and help your people create solutions.
Contact
CITEC's WasteBuster today: Eric Myers.
previous | all | next
