Leveraging Lean for Non-Production Processes

aka Administrative Kaizen

As businesses begin to realize the benefits of lean implementation on the shop floor, additional opportunities for improvement become more apparent in departments outside of production. Often the gains in administrative areas are equal to or greater than original shop floor improvements. While the context for improvement is different in the office than in the factory, the very same kaizen process can uncover and reduce or eliminate non-value-added activities. Companies that have implemented administrative kaizen process customer requests at a lower cost, without mistakes, with fewer people, in less time. Similarly, parts are ordered faster, invoices generated instantaneously, design changes executed flawlessly, and sales inquiries are filled immediately. The time, cost, and quality of all of the services that surround production achieve the same gains as on the shop floor. (aka Lean for the Office. It's not just 5S!)

After taking this class attendees will be able to:

•  Assess the current condition of any administrative process
•  Develop a target condition of any administrative process
•  Identify non-value added waste in office functions
•  Apply effective countermeasures to reduce or eliminate administrative waste
•  Implement and measure the improvement plan
•  Organize the administrative workplace

Who should attend? This course is specifically designed for top management, managers, supervisors and project leaders in all administrative functions. Quality, accounting, IT, Sales, Marketing and Engineering functions will benefit from Administrative Kaizen. Further, the benefits of administrative kaizen also apply to service industries as well as manufacturers. Any manager who wants to radically improve departmental performance while reducing overhead costs is encouraged to attend.