A raw material is any purchased or supplied item that is in some way transformed via a manufacturing process.  The raw material is generally converted into a component or a finished product.  

  The easiest way to define overprocessing is doing more to a product than what the customer, specification or transformative process requires the first time through.  Overprocessing is sometimes referred to as inappropriate processing because it includes steps that are not needed, extra handling, duplication of activities and processes that are just not statistically capable of producing the desired results.

  See: Product Family.

  Process time is the time that the product or service is actually being worked on by an operator or employee.  Process times can be observed and gathered using a stopwatch.

  ​In the most basic form 3D printing is a process by which layers of material are added to create various products and components.  This process, known as additive manufacturing allows people to create complex products like: Aerospace products, cases and many supplies for various divisions of the military at a fraction of the price it would take to mold or sculpt different items.  Products and components are most often created using CAD drawings or 3D models.  Once the design is complete it is then sent over to a 3D printer so the additive manufacturing process can begin.  One exciting note about the 3D printing process is that in today's day and age many of the machines are available for use inside your home.  We will list our top 5 options in the description below. 

  Six sigma and many other forms of project management use "tollgates"  to check the progress of projects in relation to their objectives.  When an assigned individual approves that the team has successfully completed one stage of the project, the team then can "pass" on to the next stage of the project or initiative.  If the team does not successfully complete a stage they can not "pass" on to the next phase.

  The histogram is a type of bar graph which is used to visually display the frequency or spread of data in a data set. 

  Standard work is a detailed definition of the current agreed-upon steps needed for a person to complete one work cycle in the absolute best and most reliable method possible.

The STANDARDS Methodology is a simple 9 step process that can be used as a method for standardizing.