Lean acres : a tale of strategic innovation and improvement in a farm-iliar setting / written by Jim Bowie ; illustrated by Madeleine E. McGraw.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bowie, Jim, author.

Contributor:

McGraw, Madeleine E., illustrator.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Organizational effectiveness.

Cost control.

Quality control.

Industrial efficiency.

Industrial management.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (264 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Milwaukee, Wisconsin : ASQ Quality Press, 2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Change can be hard. It is often difficult to conceive performing tasks in a different order, in a different place, at a different time, or in a different manner altogether. And this is only for the individual. When we talk about organizational change the difficulty increases exponentially with each individual that is added to the equation.This book uses as its basis a fable - the story is not untrue, but it is not fact either. It is a story in which the group dynamics are real, the problems are valid, and the solutions legitimate. It asks you to consider a complex environment with multiple classes interacting between functional units with requirements that are perceived as exclusive and unique, and personalities that reinforce presumed boundaries. It asks you to follow along as all these individuals work together using the basics of four quality methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, Theory of Constraints, and Business Process Reengineering) to address the problems they face, discover solutions together, and move forward in their continuous performance improvement journey."Lean Acres is fantastic in its appeal and innovative in its writing style. Jim Bowie introduces an amazing convention by using talking animals on a farm ("Lean Acres Farm") to represent "real" stakeholders and teach Strategy and Process Improvement methodologies (Balanced Scorecard, the StrateTree, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, the Theory of Constraints, and Business Process Reengineering) in ways that are easy to understand and enjoyable to learn. His step-by-step guidance through the each tool and philosophy make this book essential for Leaders, Managers, Quality Professionals, and anyone interested in improving performance in any industry. The message is simple, the illustrations are an excellent complement to the story, and the Reader interaction (Pre- and Post-Tests coupled with Rest, Reflect, and Relate sections at the end of each chapter) reinforce education, application, and relevance. Take a trip to Lean Acres today - you will be better for it." Mikel J. Harry Co-creator of Six Sigma and best-selling author.

Contents:

Intro

Title Page

CIP data

Dedication

Table of Contents

Pretest: What Do You Know?

Foreword

The Boo-chair-A Forbidden Tune

Chapter 1: The Narrator

Rest/Reflect/Relate (R3)

Chapter 2: Farm-iliar Territory

Lean Acres

The Farmer

The F.A.T.

Chapter 3: Losing the Farm

The Bark Is Worse . . .

To Listen and To See

Chapter 4: Growing a Strate-Tree

The Strate-Tree

Step 1: Assessment

SWOT

Stakeholders

Customers

The Voices

Step 2: Aim

Mission

Core Competencies

Values

Vision and Goals

Step 3: Alignment

Objectives and Targets

Step 4: Assignment

Ownership and Accountability

Step 5: Awareness

Chapter 5: Born in a Barn

Step 6: Academics

7S and the Visual Barnyard

Step 7: Action

Busted Baskets and Bags

Sloppy Spare Parts

Crazy Corn Carts

Making the Yard Work

Chapter 6: A Lean Diet

Customer Value

Value Stream

Flow

Pull

Current State

Lean Application

Future State

Chapter 7: Skimming Six Sigma

Precision and Accuracy

Percentages versus Parts per Million Opportunities

Quality In = Quality Out

Setting the Course

Confirming Confidence

Distributing Results

A Measure of Milk

Capturing Capability

Digging Up Roots

Fixin' to Fix It

Making It Stick

Chapter 8: Cracking Constraints

Working Through the Chain

Identify the Need

Set the Goal

Target the Constraint

Exploit the Constraint

Subordinate Everything

Elevate the Constraint

Evaluate Results

Present Problem

Capturing Capacity.

Egg-regious Effects

Delving Deeper

Protected Pace

Greater Gains

Chapter 9: Business Process Reengineering for Ewe

Target the Process

Analyze the Current State

Design the Future State

Conduct a Gap Analysis

Engage the Transition Plan

Know the Need

Map and Measure

Shoot for the Stars

Plot the Path

Fly Forward

Chapter 10: You Reap What You Sow

Posttest: What Have You Learned?

Afterword

Test Answer Key

References

About the Author

Index.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780873892919

0873892917

9780873892926

0873892925

9786000049249

6000049242

OCLC:

893681529