What does it mean to reflect?
Why is taking time to reflect so important in the improvement process?
In process improvement, one of the most important steps is to take time to Reflect, or in Lean language, Hansei.
By far this is the most valuable step in the entire process of observing and analyzing a process, task, project, etc. ...
This time is used to think about what you have seen as you observed the process, what you have heard from the people who do the work.
Plan in time to allow:
a) quality time alone to think about the process (you and the individuals separately) then b) together as a team for analysis exercises
Read on for some key questions to ask yourself during this reflection time…
Take some time to reflect on your observations
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What did you find that you didn't expect, or understand before?
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What Types of Waste did you find, and what might be done about each of them?
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Can you isolate specific problems that might be addressed using PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act)?
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What other workers or teams are affected by the problems that have been identified?
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How are your end customers affected by the problems that have been identified?
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Can you estimate the costs of the wastes that have been identified?
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Transcribe To Do items to the appropriate Action List, Project Plan, Team To Do List, and/or Potential Improvements list
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Personally follow up with the person doing the work, so that they can see the results and rewards of their inputs and efforts
As a Lean consultancy, we are passionate about simplicity and Lean is a mindset that we apply in all our areas of activity. Our reward is when we know that we helped you meeting your business objectives, where both management skills and tools play a key role.