Six Sigma, Visual Controls, Standard Work, DFM and TPM are tools that help to ensure that stability. Material Systems such as Production Smoothing, Kanbans, Line Design and SMED, and Quality Systems such as Autonomation and Mistake-proofing act as the support of the business structure. Housed in this structure are the people and their systems such as Policy Deployment, HPWO and Safety that drive the business. These are the tools used to get the workplace organized and keep it clean. Visual Display is a method to communicate important information about the work place to the organization .
Visual Controls are methods to identify or prevent defects.
These three are linked together by the Visual Metrics which are used to keep all associates and management of the business informed of the progress and status of the areas. The metrics also can be used to identify where improvement activities may be needed. Bob indicated that a multi-step approach was necessary to accomplish any lean effort. The first step is to complete a business assessment to determine a good baseline. The second step is to identify the waste found in the business.