Quantitative data is data that can be verified and quantified using numbers.  Quantitative data is more defining than qualitative data which is often used as a description.  

  Virtual Organizations are an ordinary practice in today's day and age.  A virtual organization can be both permanent or a temporary establishment.  These organizational alliances vary and length.  The different organizations that are forming a virtual alliance work together in an effort to align values and act as one single entity to external customers.  

  The X-bar chart is a control chart which tracks the mean or the average of sub-groups of up to 6 different data points.  Although the charts are not as sensitive as the I and MR charts they are very effective and easy to use when looking analyse whether a process is under control or not. The X-bar chart typically is used when monitoring characteristics that can be measured on a continuous basis. 

  The R-Bar chart is another control chart which is used to monitor control of a "range".  The R-Bar control chart tracks the difference between the maximum and minimum values in a subgroup. 

  A spaghetti diagram is a tool used to track the amount of movement or distance traveled by a worker or materials.  You can then use a spaghetti diagram to analyze what you tracked and improve the flow.  As a tool that is used in the analysis of process flows, a spaghetti diagram reveals redundancy in processes and helps users to identify various forms of waste.

The name comes from the reference of laying spaghetti noodles out to show the flow of materials or workers.

​  An inventory policy outlines the organization's vision, objectives and goals with regards to inventory.  It will also define how the company intends to manage its inventory at all levels of the organization.

  ABC classification or ABC analysis is a technique used in materials management.  The ABC represents the different categories of inventory in your system and indicates the level of control each category requires.  The Apics Dictionary defines the categories of the ABC system as:

1. A = The A group usually represents 10 percent to 20 percent by the number of items and 50 percent to 70 percent by projected dollar volume.
2. B = The B grouping usually represents about 20 percent of the items and about 20 percent of the dollar volume.
3. C = The C grouping usually contains 60 percent to 70 percent of the items and represents about 10 percent to 30 percent of the dollar volume.  

  It is important to note that there is no fixed numbers for each category.  Each organization should customize their classification system based on a pareto analysis.  

Discussion:

1. What benefits can you see in applying tighter or looser controls to inventory management items?

  

  The Sales and Operations or S&OP processes mission is to balance supply and demand at an aggregate level, to align operational planning with financial planning, and to link strategic planning with tactical/operational planning.  It does this through a series of meetings which are designed to guide a group of individuals towards consensus of "ONE" plan.  

  Continuous improvement is the act of making incremental and regular improvements, which is often referred to as kaizen.  These improvements are not the same as breakthrough innovations (kaikaku) or radical changes.  When we look at the definition of continuous we learn that the act is performed without "interruption".  The term improvement means that something is made better than it was previously.  Therefore continuous improvement is the act of making things "better" without any interruption.

  A gemba walk is the term used to describe a walk where employees go to observe work at the gemba, which is where the work is done.  The idea is to go and see for yourself at the actual or "real place" of work.  During a gemba walk participants should:

1. Go and See (observe for themselves the place of work).
2. Engage, with the purpose of understanding more about where value is being created and issues or opportunities that might be present.
3. Muda, Muri and Mura - Discover forms of waste.  The gemba walk however is not the time to solve or make drastic changes.  
4. Be respectful of the people at the gemba.  Look for opportunities to hear their thoughts and reflect on ideas with them.
5. Analyze, Assess and Action!