Converge Consulting Group Inc. Articles and News » Lean

Inspections and Audits

robertgerst — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 23:20:29 +0000

Developing a cost effective approach Some organizations equate quality with the level of inspection. The greater the number of inspections, checks, audits or evaluations, the greater the level of quality that is assumed to be in the final product or service. Unfortunately for these organizations, just the opposite is true. Quality assurance is only required when processes

Lean Certification Standards from ASQ/Shingo Prize

robertgerst — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:14:09 +0000

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) and the Shingo Prize recently announced their joint Lean Certification Book of Knowledge (BoK). Now that these standards are out, they provide an important benchmark against which organizations can examine their existing Lean training and development programs. For those experienced with Lean, much of the content will be familiar. There are

Implementing Lean and Lean Six Sigma

admin — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:19:02 +0000

The most frequent question we are asked by clients these days is how to get started with Lean or Lean Six Sigma. The second most frequent question is some variation of: What is Lean Six Sigma anyway? Let’s answer the second question first and then dive in on how to get started. What is Lean

Master of Cycle Time: Little’s Law

admin — Fri, 18 Mar 2005 00:43:06 +0000

In physics, laws are a fundamental part of understanding how systems operate. E=mc2 would have to classify as the most famous example. From these three simple letters, physicists and others have been able to greatly improve their understanding of how the universe works and make predictions about how things will behave under differing circumstances –

Flexibility, The Third Dimension to Performance

robertgerst — Fri, 07 Sep 2001 21:58:54 +0000

A year ago, businesses were planning for major expansion. Now, attention has turned to how to weather a recession. Soon, expansion plans will be back. It is difficult to keep up. Actually, it is impossible. Is there better evidence that the key to survival is not in prediction or forecasting? After all, who do you

Systems Thinking and the Health Care System

robertgerst — Thu, 24 May 2001 16:52:52 +0000

Originally Published as a Converge Newsletter for Operational Excellence (OpX) In response to the demand for pieces referenced in The Decline of Health Services in Alberta, we have republished this article from 2004. Health care, like other industries, is seeking ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness. In Canada, this has taken on a new urgency