The degree or process by which a multinational organization standardizes, integrates or combines activities around the world so that they use the same methods, no matter where the activity or method is being performed.

  Group technology is a philosophy used in manufacturing that groups similar parts together as a part or product family.  There are two major tasks in implementing group technology:

1. Identify Part/Product Families.
2. Arrange or Rearrange Machines and Layouts into Cells.

  The Gemba is the actual place where transformation and value creation happen.  The concept of the Gemba is applicable to any and all industries.  Simply stated the Gemba is where the work is performed.  Some examples of the Gemba are:  

  A Gantt Chart is one of the most common tools used in project management.  The Gantt Chart documents a schedule of activities for a team or individual to execute to.  The left side of the chart typically documents the activities while the bars you see in the middle show a start date and the amount of time each activity will take.  Gantt Charts made in Google Sheets are suitable for small to midsize projects, however large scale project plans typically use other forms of software such as Gantter.

  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!

    One of the best ways to understand what is going on is to go to the Gemba and see for yourself. This is the central idea behind the term Genchi Genbutsu,  which is a core principle in both Lean and Six Sigma.

  The goal statement identifies goals, objectives or targets that the team is trying to achieve once the project is completed.  

Example:
  The Goal is to reduce the cash to cash cycle time by 50% resulting in a reduced, cash to cash cycle of 15 days.


Sample Format:
  The Goal is to (improve or reduce) the (problem) by (metric,category) resulting in a (improved or reduced)(category) of (metric).