What is the role of a 'kaizen event' in a Lean organization?
Explanation
This question defines a 'kaizen event,' which is a practical application of the continuous improvement philosophy (kaizen). It is a highly focused, team-based workshop aimed at making rapid improvements in a specific area.
Other questions
According to Taiichi Ohno's framework for the Toyota Production System, which of the following is one of the seven identified categories of waste?
What is the primary function of a pull system in a Lean environment?
A manufacturing firm is calculating the required number of kanbans for a specific component. The daily demand is 500 units, the production lead time is 2 days, and the desired safety stock is half a day's production. If the container size is 250 units, how many kanbans are needed?
What is the primary purpose of the 5Ss in a Lean workplace?
A firm wants to determine its optimal setup time to accommodate a 2-hour production cycle. The annual demand is 400,000 units, daily production rate is 4,000 units over 250 working days, holding cost is $20 per unit per year, and the hourly labor rate for setup is $40. What should be the target setup time in minutes?
In the context of Lean operations, what is variability considered to be?
Which of the following is a key goal of a Lean supplier partnership?
How do level schedules contribute to Lean production?
Which concept is described as the 'antithesis of Lean' because it dumps orders on the next workstation regardless of timeliness and resource availability?
What does the term 'consignment inventory' mean in the context of a Lean supply chain?
Which of the following is NOT a concern that suppliers might have when moving to a Lean partnership?
What is the primary benefit of reducing inventory in a Lean system, as illustrated by the 'rocks in the water' analogy?
A company is implementing a kanban system. The production lead time is 4 days, daily demand is 200 units, and safety stock is 1 day's production. The container size is 100 units. How many kanbans are required?
According to the principles of Lean, how does a focus on quality relate to inventory levels?
What is the concept of 'Gemba' or 'Gemba walk' in a Lean organization?
A firm wants to reduce its lot sizes. Its annual demand is 31,200 units, holding cost is $12 per unit per year, and the setup labor cost is $20 per hour. The firm desires a lot size of 120 units, which represents one hour of production. The daily production rate is 960 units. What is the target setup time in minutes?
What is the primary role of empowered employees in the Toyota Production System (TPS)?
A key Lean inventory tactic is to reduce setup times. How does reducing setup cost affect the total cost curve?
Which of the following best describes the application of Lean principles in service industries like restaurants or stockbrokers?
What is defined as the time between the arrival of raw materials and the shipping of finished products?
Which of the following is an example of the 'Motion' waste in the seven wastes of Lean?
A plant wants to determine the number of kanbans needed for a connector. The daily demand is 1,000 connectors, the lead time is 2 days, and a safety stock of a half day is maintained. The kanban size is 500 connectors. How many kanbans are needed?
What is the primary objective of Lean layout tactics?
In the Toyota Production System, what is 'jidoka'?
An auto parts manufacturer has an annual demand of 39,000 units for a product. The desired lot size is 150 units, holding cost is $10 per unit per year, and setup labor costs $40 per hour. The daily production rate is 1,000 units and daily demand is 150 units. What should be the target setup time in minutes?
Which two additional 'Ss' are often added by U.S. managers to the original Japanese 5Ss?
What is the relationship between Just-in-Time (JIT) and Lean operations as described in the chapter?
Discount-Mart has an annual demand of 2,000 halogen lamps. The ordering cost is $30 per order and the annual carrying cost is $12 per lamp. What is the economic order quantity (EOQ) for the lamps?
Following a new Lean program, Discount-Mart's ordering costs for halogen lamps drop to $0.50 per order, but carrying costs rise to $20 per lamp. With an annual demand of 2,000 lamps, what is the new economic order quantity?
What is the fundamental idea behind eliminating waste in Lean operations?
Which of the seven wastes involves work performed on the product that adds no value, such as unnecessary steps in a process?
How does Lean sustainability extend the concept of Lean operations?
A motorcycle company needs to set up a kanban system for a mainshaft assembly. The annual usage is 20,000 units over 250 work days, and the lead time is 3 days. Safety stock is a half day's production, with a daily production rate of 300 mainshafts. The Kanban container size is 100 units. How many kanbans are needed?
Which of the following is NOT one of the three fundamental issues that operations managers address for improvement, according to the chapter?
What is the primary characteristic of the 'Simplify/straighten' step in the 5S methodology?
A manufacturing company needs to establish kanbans for a work cell. The daily demand is 250 units, the lead time is a half day, and the safety stock is a quarter day. The kanban size is 50 units. How many kanbans are needed?
Which of the following is a primary attribute of a Lean organization's approach to its employees?
What is the relationship between reducing lot sizes and setup times in a JIT system?
How does the Toyota Production System (TPS) achieve flexibility in its assembly lines, as described in the Toyota's New Challenge box?
Which of the following best describes 'Lean inventory'?
In a kanban system, what does a kanban card or signal typically authorize?
What is the primary reason for cross-training workers in a Lean environment?
A phone subassembly manufacturer has a lead time of 16 days and an annual usage of 2,500 units over 250 work days. Safety stock is 4 days' worth of production, and daily production is 20 subassemblies. To determine the number of kanbans, what is the required kanban size (lot size)?
Why do Lean layouts, such as U-shaped cells, have a positive impact on employees?
In the context of the 5Ss, what does 'Sustain/self-discipline' involve?
What is the core philosophy of Just-in-Time (JIT)?
According to the chapter, why do some suppliers have concerns about forming Lean partnerships involving frequent, small-lot deliveries?
In a Lean environment, how are defective products typically handled?
A firm is using a kanban system where the lead time is 3 days, daily usage is 80 units, daily production is 300 units, and the kanban container holds 100 units. A safety stock of 1.875 days of usage is required. How many kanbans are needed?