The CI Maker

Are you looking to build brilliant processes in your organization?   Start with DOWNTIME.   This acronym stands for   +Defects +Overproduction +Waiting +Non-Utilized Talent +Transportation +Inventory +Motion +Extra Processing   It's a mnemonic used in Lean Six Sigma to represent the 8 types of waste.   Being able to see them is always the first step.   Here's a breakdown to identify the 8 wastes of Lean: *** Continuous Improvement is 90% mindset and 10% toolset. While you focus on developing your mindset, we’re working hard to build KaizenHQ! KaizenHQ will handle your toolset from 0 to 100%. Do you wanna be the first to know when we launch it in Q3’2025? Join 100s of CI leaders on the waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/dmE-fJRJ

Harsh truth: There is no one-size-fits-all approach to problem-solving. Different problem contexts require different strategies, tools, and mindsets. Will McTighe wrote a great post about 9 problem-solving frameworks. *** The most important facts you didn’t know about problem-solving skills... 1. They are the most desired soft skills after teamwork. (Source: LinkedIn) 2. 77% of employers describe them as a must-have skill. (Source: LinkedIn) You are more likely to get promoted with better problem-solving skills. Knowing when and how to use different problem-solving frameworks can help you stand out from the crowd. Here are 9 frameworks to help you level up your problem-solving skills: 1/ 80/20 Rule 2/ RACI Matrix 3/ Six Sigma 4/ SWOT Analysis 5/ PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) 6/ Root Cause Analysis 7/ Scrum 8/ Design Thinking 9/ Lean Startup As you master these frameworks, you’re not just enhancing your skill set - You’re shaping a mindset that identifies opportunities where others see obstacles.

5S Check Points Credit to Poonath. Follow him for more posts on CI. 1/ Sort ➟ Seiri ↳ Go through everything and decide what you really need ↳ Create three piles: keep, discard, and store ↳ Use red tags to mark items you don’t need anymore ↳ Make it a habit to check for unnecessary items regularly 2/ Set in Order ➟ Seiton ↳ Find a specific spot for each tool and material ↳ Label everything clearly, maybe even use colors to make it easy to find ↳ Keep frequently used items within easy reach ↳ Make sure walkways and work areas are clear to avoid tripping 3/ Shine ➟ Seiso ↳ Set up a cleaning schedule so everything stays tidy ↳ Assign different cleaning duties to team members ↳ Use a checklist to make sure nothing gets missed ↳ While cleaning, check for any equipment that might need repairs 4/ Standardize ➟ Seiketsu ↳ Write down clear procedures for how to sort, organize, and clean ↳ Train everyone on these procedures to ensure consistency ↳ Use visual aids to help communicate what needs to be done ↳ Conduct regular checks to see if everyone is following the standards 5/ Sustain ➟ Shitsuke ↳ Encourage a culture where everyone takes responsibility ↳ Hold regular training sessions to keep 5S practices fresh ↳ Consider rewarding teams that maintain high standards ↳ Keep looking for ways to improve and adapt your 5S practices *** Continuous Improvement is 90% mindset and 10% toolset. While you focus on developing your mindset, we’re working hard to build KaizenHQ! KaizenHQ will handle your toolset from 0 to 100%. Do you wanna be the first to know when we launch it in Q3’2025? Join 100s of CI leaders on the waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/dmE-fJRJ

Perfection is a trap. Waiting for the perfect time or plan? Credit to Nico Torres, MBA. Give him a follow Here are 6 ways to embrace CI and leave perfectionism behind: 1/ Start Before You’re Ready ↳ You don’t need all the answers to take the first step. ↳ Clarity often comes through action, not endless planning. 2/ Break Goals Into Bite-Sized Steps ↳ Focus on progress you can make today ↳ Small wins build confidence and keep momentum alive. 3/ View Mistakes As Feedback ↳ Mistakes aren’t failures—they’re lessons in disguise. ↳ Use them to refine your approach and keep moving forward. 4/ Focus On Consistency, Not Intensity ↳ A little effort every day beats massive effort once in a while. ↳ Habits compound into big results over time. 5/ Iterate and Improve ↳ Version 1 is better than version none. ↳ Release, review, refine—and repeat. 6/ Celebrate The Journey ↳ Perfectionists celebrate only at the finish line. Don’t wait. ↳ Recognize and appreciate every step forward Remember: Waiting for perfection delays progress. Every small improvement today is a step closer to your vision. Don’t wait. Start now. Improve daily. Let perfection take care of itself along the way.

Kaizen 101:   Welcome change as gradual and necessary.   Kaizen can be useful to anyone who feels the need to change their life.   This need is extremely widespread, yet few succeed in doing so.   Why?   The new version of ourselves seems like something too far.   We have no patience. We want to see the results right away.   So we often give up.   Kaizen involves accepting what has already been done as a starting point for moving forward.   Kaizen is simple but not easy, because the search for ourselves never ends.   It's not a destination. It's an endless journey.   So, take life one step at a time. *** Continuous Improvement is 90% mindset and 10% toolset. While you focus on developing your mindset, we’re working hard to build KaizenHQ! KaizenHQ will handle your toolset from 0 to 100%. Do you wanna be the first to know when we launch it in Q3’2025? Join 100s of CI leaders on the waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/dmE-fJRJ

Living the Kaizen Philosophy Credit to Sergio. Give him a follow Original post below: Want a life of constant growth? Make Kaizen your habit. Most people chase big changes… but they often miss the mark. Instead, the Kaizen philosophy shows that small, steady steps can lead to massive growth. Here’s how you can embrace Kaizen: Start Small, Win Big ↳ Forget the overwhelming goals ↳ Focus on small, steady wins ↳ Tiny steps build strong habits that last Stay Curious, Keep Growing ↳ Every challenge is a chance to learn ↳ Approach life with curiosity Consistency Perfection ↳ Perfect? No. But improving daily? Absolutely ↳ Small, consistent steps are the key to lasting change Trust the Process, not just the Result ↳ Success isn’t only about the end ↳ It’s about enjoying the journey of improvement Cut Out the Noise ↳ Identify what doesn’t serve you. Then, let it go ↳ Focus only on what adds true value Lifelong Learning ↳ Keep expanding your skills ↳ Embrace being a student of life Reflect & Realign ↳ Make time to reflect ↳ Understand what works and what doesn’t ↳ Self-awareness fuels progress Tackle Problems Daily ↳ Break big issues into small tasks ↳ Handle one piece at a time Show Gratitude ↳ Appreciate others and their contributions ↳ Relationships thrive in respect and gratitude Make Kaizen a Habit ↳ See Kaizen as a lifestyle ↳ Small changes, every day P.S. Embrace Kaizen, and let growth become your new habit.

Single-Minute Exchange of Die Level: PRO SMED can play a pivotal role, not only in F1 pit stops. Single-Minute Exchange of Die is a system that reduces the time it takes to complete equipment changeovers. So, the ultimate goal is to reduce the changeover time from hours down to < 10 mins From 1990 to 2023, F1 pit stop times dropped significantly through Standard Work, Lean, and Innovation. Watch this video to learn the importance of accuracy and consistency in executing critical tasks! *** Continuous Improvement is 90% mindset and 10% toolset. While you focus on developing your mindset, we’re working hard to build KaizenHQ! KaizenHQ will handle your toolset from 0 to 100%. Do you wanna be the first to know when we launch it in Q3’2025? Join 100s of CI leaders on the waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/dmE-fJRJ

5S Tool Station Level: PRO 5S refers to five Japanese terms describing the main steps of visual management toward Operational Excellence: 1S - Seiri → Sort 2S - Seiton → Set In Order 3S - Seiso → Shine 4S - Seiketsu → Standardize 5S - Shitsuke → Sustain 5S systems can turn any dirty place into a clean, standardized workplace when successfully implemented. *** Continuous Improvement is 90% mindset and 10% toolset. While you focus on developing your mindset, we’re working hard to build KaizenHQ! KaizenHQ will handle your toolset from 0 to 100%. Do you wanna be the first to know when we launch it in Q3’2025? Join 100s of CI leaders on the waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/dmE-fJRJ

Fishbone Diagram Credit to Poonath Sekar. Follow him for more posts on CI. Original post below: A fishbone diagram, also known as Ishikawa diagram or cause-and-effect diagram, is a visualization tool used to identify and organize potential causes of a specific problem or effect. It's called a fishbone diagram because of its shape resembling the skeleton of a fish. Here's how it works: 1. Problem Statement: You start with a central problem or effect that you want to analyze. 2. Main Causes: Draw lines branching off from the main problem, representing major categories of potential causes. 3. Sub-causes: For each main cause, further branches out to represent specific factors contributing to that cause. 4. Analysis: Keep breaking down each cause until you reach specific root causes. 5. Solution Finding: Once all possible causes are identified, teams can prioritize and address them. It's widely used in problem-solving processes, quality management, and process improvement initiatives across various industries. *** We’re pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone by building our first digital asset. KaizenHQ is coming in Q3'25! If you wanna grow your CI organization with an all-in-one workspace designed to +save you time +run more Kaizen initiatives +and drive more revenue Join the waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/dJdUqhR3

Single Minute Exchange of Die at a Restaurant Level: PRO SMED is a lean production method for reducing inefficiencies in a process. It provides a rapid way of switching your production from product A to product B. The ultimate goal is to reduce the changeover time from hours down to < 10 minutes. Key benefits: +Small lot sizes +Greater flexibility +Lower operative costs +Lower skills requirements +Reduced uneven flow (Mura) +Increased machine work rates +Standardized changeover procedures +Better responsiveness to customer demand *** We’re pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone by building our first digital asset. KaizenHQ is coming in Q3'25! If you wanna grow your CI organization with an all-in-one workspace designed to +save you time +run more Kaizen initiatives +and drive more revenue Join the waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/dJdUqhR3