BOOKS
“Learning is not compulsory… neither is survival” W. Edwards Demming (business advisor and author, 1900-1993)
RECOMMENDED READING
Below listed are some applications, books and videos that we have found of particular value in assisting with a lean six sigma journey. Please note that Cordatus is in no way affiliated with the authors or publishers of the books, and we receive no favours of any kind for the recommendations. Click on each image to access source material. Enjoy!
iPhone app: SIX SIGMA PROCESS AID
Author: Mobidea, Download info: iTunes
Why use it? The app is free and provides basic introductory definitions to lean and six sigma terminology and tools. It also provides a basic six sigma table and basic histogram graphing facility.
Target audience: Any lean six sigma practitioner with an iPhone
Best used as: A handy reference guide when on the move and other more detailed literature is not easy to access.
Book Title: THE TOYOTA WAY
Author: Jeffrey Liker, Publisher: McGraw-Hill, Year: 2003
Why buy it? This is a definitive book on lean culture and practices. Liker uses an easy writing style to convey the complexity of the Toyota approach to process design, problem solving, employee development, customer service and market growth.
Target audience: Managers, lean leaders and black belts, and those interested or involved in organisation-wide lean transformation.
Best used as: A definitive text book for all managers in organisations undergoing lean transformation. Why not form a weekly management study group to present and discuss chapters of the book, and their application in your organisation?
Book Title: LEADING SIX SIGMA
Author: Ronald Snee & Roger Hoerl, Publisher: FT Press, Year: 2003 hardback, 2009 paperback
Why buy it? This is the definitive textbook on establishing and sustaining a successful six sigma programme.
Target audience: Managers, six sigma leaders, and black belts, and those interested or involved in organisation-wide six sigma transformation.
Best used as: A definitive text book for all managers in organisations undergoing six sigma transformation. Why not form a weekly management study group to present and discuss chapters of the book, and their application in your organisation?
Download Article Title: GOING LEAN
Author: Prof Peter Hines, David Taylor, Publisher: Lean Enterprise Research Centre, Cardiff, Year: 2000
Why read it? This LERC mug’s guide to implementing lean is the best/ most comprehensive (54 pages) guide to lean implementation in an organisation.
Target audience: Managers, lean leaders and black belts, and those interested or involved in organisation-wide lean transformation.
Best used as: A step by step structured guide to implementing lean in the organisation.
Book Title: THE SIX SIGMA MEMORY JOGGER II
Author: Michael Brassard, Lynda Finn, Dana Ginn & Diane Ritter
Publisher: Goal/QPC Year: 2002 Why buy it? It’s small and very informative. The first 26 pages provide the best summary overview of what the six sigma approach entails, that I have yet read. It’s worth it for that summary alone.
Target audience: Green belts, supervisors, managers, engineers, and those leading or participating in six sigma improvement teams. This is an indespensible reference pocket guide for six sigma techniques, that punches far above its weight.
Best used as: A reference book to provide guidance on how and when to use particular six sigma process improvement tools.
Book Title: LEAN SIX SIGMA AND MINITAB
Author: Quentin Brook, Publisher: QSB Consulting, Year: 2010
Why buy it? This wire-bound “complete toolbox guide for all Six Sigma practitioners” is an invaluable companion to Minitab software. Its logical tabbed layout is clear and easy to navigate.
Target audience: Engineers, black belts and green belts who use Minitab
Best used as: A companion guide when executing DMAIC projects and when compiling and interpreting process data with Minitab
VIDEOS
Please click on the YouTube tab below to link to the Cordatus YouTube channel, with our collection of useful lean six sigma and supply chain videos.
Below listed are some training videos that we have found of particular value in assisting our lean six sigma journey. Please note that Cordatus is in no way affilliated with the authors or publishers of the videos, and we receive no favours of any kind for the recommendations. Click on each image to access source material. Enjoy!
DVD Title: TOAST KAIZEN
See preview on YouTube at this link
Author & Publisher: GBMP Consulting
Duration: 27 minutes
Why buy it? It’s fun! This video highlights the seven deadly wastes found in both offices and in manufacturing processes. The process of making toast is used to represent the before condition and the target condition of a manufacturing or transaction-based process and helps your people to identify with the process of Kaizen(small and continuous improvements). The video has become so popular that GBMP is now running a competition for thr best YouTube spoof video!
Target audience: All employees setting out on their lean transformation journey
Best used as: A learning tool that introduces lean concepts at the start of the organisation’s or team’s lean journey.
DVD Title: THE 5S’s @ BOEING
Author & Publisher: Boeing Plc
Duration: 40 minutes
Why buy it? An oldie but goodie, this Boeing video is still the best 5S training video on the market. The narrator takes us through a case study of 5S implementation on the shop floor, intersperesed with comments from the operators involved, and clearly illustrated before and after pictures. There is also a section on lean in the office. If you can take the dated clothes and hairstyles (and floppy discs!) it’s still worthwhile.
Target audience: A team about to untertake 5S implementation.
Best used as: This video can be used as part of a live implementation exercise.