One of the best sources for improvement ideas is the mistake! THE MISTAKE is an opportunity to improve the system in which we live or work! I truly believe that this type of approach opens many improvement opportunities. Approaching a mistake by saying: "Today I had this problem. What shall we do not to repeat it?" we create a continuous improvement and in the same time we avoid the future wastes of that MISTAKE.
This kind of approach requires hard work, involvement, respect for the others and the desire to improve the work system (which will never be perfect!). The actions that have to be made to answer the question: "What shall we do not to repeat it?" should be recommended to follow the next structure:
- Analyzing the causes of the problems. Following this, it should be identified the main cause (root cause) which led to that problem. The methods to solve the problem could be 5 WHY (personally, I prefer this one) or the Ishikawa chart (fish bone);
- Identifying the actions to remove the root cause from a).
- Implementing the measures to remove the root cause.
- Checking the efficiency measures which were identified and implemented.
This kind of approach lids to a self-perfectible system, in which the improvement signals are the problems. In the same time, this way to deal with the problems increases the flexibility of the work system (what today is good, tomorrow can be changed into better.) and the innovation degree of the organization.
Approaching the mistakes (the problems) in this way, they will become inexhaustible sources of improvement ideas and opportunities.
Other inexhaustible sources of improvement are the people around you! Watch how they do simple things (how they tie their shoelaces, how they park their cars, how they take something off a shelf, etc.) and you will find many opportunities to improve that action. Surely you will find a way to implement these improvements in your activity.
And, finally, offer to your colleagues the opportunity to propose improvements. Tell them what your problems are and listen to their opinion. The more different their activity is from yours, the more surprising the solutions are. This is because they have a different point of view (like you have seen the people around you).
Now, having these ways of improvement, your activity will grow faster. Your improvement ideas will flow and the path of continuous improvement is open.
BE CAREFUL! Do a financial analysis of each improvement you want to make. Even if, apparently, the improvement is amazing, do NOT spend 100$ to achieve 5 cents!
Adrian V Oprea, the founder of AVO Lean Consulting, MBA, with a mechanical engineering background, Adrian share his experience with our clients, in order to eliminate wastes and finding together a better way to follow.
Provides Improving Performance consultancy, based on Lean philosophy using the specific techniques and methods. Using the experience accumulated in Toyota business, both in Japan and Europe, allow the clients to report that their performance go far beyond their initial targets, using the same resources!
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