Lean manufacturing and technology
In most of the organizations workers in all levels from CEO to the shop floor are very much eager to use new or the “cutting edge technology” in their day to day operations to make their lives easier. Every organization use new technology in the form of computers, software and automated tools and newest techniques.
It is very important to use new technology. That can really boost the performance of your organization with these tools. But lean manufacturers take a different approach to this. One of the prime lean manufacturing concepts is the usage of stable thoroughly tested technology, if it is required. This is an approach all the organization must look at when they are seeking for new technology.
People use technology to make their work easier. But even in your organization, how many times have you found new technology as a trouble maker. First of all you must identify your requirements correct. Most of the organizations seek answer for the problems without knowing what their problems are. For them the standard answer for their problem is technology.
Understanding the requirement correct will give lean thinkers the ability to evaluate the requirement of technology. If the technology can solve your problem, you must first have better manual processes. Without humans being able to do something effectively, machines will never be able to. Choosing of the technology must be done very carefully. All the possible scenarios must be tested and evaluated. Also the cost factor, durability and fit for the purpose are must considerations. Over sophistication will make the maintenance hard and will make the systems less flexible.
Cutting edge technology might be necessary for you. But in most of the cases technology will not be able to solve your problems. You have to dig deep in to the process and find out the root causes for your problems. If technology can play a role, use tested and stable technology. Cutting edge technology is also known as “bleeding” edge technology. Lean manufacturing is always about concepts, not about tools.
It is very important to use new technology. That can really boost the performance of your organization with these tools. But lean manufacturers take a different approach to this. One of the prime lean manufacturing concepts is the usage of stable thoroughly tested technology, if it is required. This is an approach all the organization must look at when they are seeking for new technology.
People use technology to make their work easier. But even in your organization, how many times have you found new technology as a trouble maker. First of all you must identify your requirements correct. Most of the organizations seek answer for the problems without knowing what their problems are. For them the standard answer for their problem is technology.
Understanding the requirement correct will give lean thinkers the ability to evaluate the requirement of technology. If the technology can solve your problem, you must first have better manual processes. Without humans being able to do something effectively, machines will never be able to. Choosing of the technology must be done very carefully. All the possible scenarios must be tested and evaluated. Also the cost factor, durability and fit for the purpose are must considerations. Over sophistication will make the maintenance hard and will make the systems less flexible.
Cutting edge technology might be necessary for you. But in most of the cases technology will not be able to solve your problems. You have to dig deep in to the process and find out the root causes for your problems. If technology can play a role, use tested and stable technology. Cutting edge technology is also known as “bleeding” edge technology. Lean manufacturing is always about concepts, not about tools.
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