The basic idea is this: Instead of creating a detailed schedule for a single situation that will never occur, create a set of dynamic policy parameters that works for a range of situations.

John Bicheno reviews Kevin Duggan’s Design for Operational Excellence, McGraw Hill, 2012

This terrific book, already on the prescribed list for the MSc in Lean Operations, follows Kevin’s earlier work on mixed model scheduling.

Firms operating in the financial sector are constantly subject to new, demanding regulations.

Richmond J Hulse, managing director of XONITEK Consulting, looks at the characteristics a leader must have if an operational excellence programme is to succeed.

Jon Parry, performance improvement manager at the breakfast cereal manufacturer, presents a model for the implementation of standard work for front line team leaders.

This month, LMJ looks at the deployment of lean in Germany, the most virtuous country in the EU and one that has made of excellence a way of life.

Through the last three articles on SCGM, you have had a chance to read about the company’s lean implementation project in its Foundation Phase.

In this article, Mark L.

Kate Mackle of Thinkflow and John Darlington of Value Flow Consulting talk about the importance to relate the lean principles of flow and pull to planning and scheduling.