​  Of all the steps in a setup or changeover reduction, separating internal and external activities may in fact be the most important as well as the simplest steps you can take.  In the most general sense, performing activities like preparing tools, kits and materials as well as transporting items while your line is running can reduce setup time by as much as 50%.

  From Each and Everyone of Us at Lean Strategies International LLC, we wish you a happy, safe and prosperous fourth of July.  May we ever live with gratitude of the great freedoms we have.  ​Celebrate the Fourth of July With Lean Strategies International LLC. with this beautiful medley of patriotic songs.

In this lecture we will discuss the difference between lean thinking and traditional thinking.  Let’s recall two of the types of work.  Those work activities that add value and those that do not.  In the video above we see an activity that is adding value.  Value added work has three characteristics to it: 

1. Somebody is willing to pay for the activity.
2. Transformation that moves the process closer to the end objective occurs.
3. The activity is performed correctly the first time through occurs.

Before improving anything in a setup, we must first consider the current state or common problem areas of what we are improving.  In the case of setups, changeovers or turnarounds there are traditionally 4 basic steps where problems and opportunities fall.  Those steps are:

1. Preparation.
2. Removing and Mounting Tools and Parts
3. Calibration.
4. First Articles, Trial Runs and Adjustments.

  Memorial Day is a special holiday that is celebrated every year.  Though many of us may think of those we have lost every single day, for one day an entire country stops to celebrate the lives of fallen soldiers.  These brave soldiers are the essence of improvement. 

  If you travel into any machine shop, office or hospital facility in the world guaranteed you have seen a changeover before.  The changeover occurs in between the last good part or service until the next good part or service.  Some examples would be:

1. Changing tooling.
2. Patients service completion.
3. Changing paper in a printer.
4. Taking one batch of cookies out of the oven in order to start a new batch.  

This "in-between" time is usually spent performing wasteful activities which often result in long changeovers that inevitably eat up value added time.

  Almost every project will include brainstorming of some kind at some point in the project lifecycle.  Brainstorming sessions can be a powerful gateway to unlock solutions, make issues visible, prioritize actions and bring experienced minds together.  When individuals come together as a team, innovative ideas can be born.  One of the struggles of being a part of a powerful and productive brainstorming session is that they generate many great ideas and often reveal a large amount of issues.  This can leave a group feeling overwhelmed.  Often times, the wide array of ideas can be hard to organize, understand, validate and act on.  Worse yet, many members of a team might leave feeling invalidated, unheard or completely shut down. 
  

  The fishbone diagram, cause and effect, or ishikawa diagram is one of the most common quality tools used today.  Best known by its resemblance to a fish's body the fishbone diagram is used to show the many possible causes for an effect. The tool is used to help coordinating brainstorming in an effort to discover root causes.

  In a world full of opportunities to improve, trials, countermeasures solutions and yes, waste, we all have much to be grateful for.  Whatever position you are in, whatever place you are at, gratitude can be a powerful tool if harnessed and used regularly.  Studies all around the world have shared the benefits of gratitude in the workplace, homes and in daily practice.  In this, the spirit of gratitude and before you share in the comments section below what you are grateful for, we would like to say, thank you.  Thank you to each of you who work your hardest everyday.  Thank you, to each of you who come home happy and ready to serve those you love.  Thank you, to each of you who have indeed IMPROVED the world through gratitude.