Six Sigma?
Lean_Manufacturing?
TQM?
Constraint_Management?
QRM?
Is there a magic bullet for process improvement? We use many tools to help your process improvement efforts, but we feel that the first step should be to understand your desired outcomes and then choose the approach or approaches that best fit your particular situation. How do we approach your unique situation?
Initially, we perform an
Impact Analysis to determine the potential bottom line impact in revenue and profitability increases.
Next, an Assessment is made. This analysis is usually performed over several days during which key functional areas for improvement are identified. In addition, recommendations for improvement are developed and areas for improvement are prioritized.
Then, a report of the findings and recommendations is presented to your management, along with a Proposal to provide our assistance in facilitating the rapid implementation of the recommendations. The proposed assistance is intended to enable you to quickly realize the gains anticipated in the Impact Analysis.
Our assistance starts with training your employees on the use of selected process improvement tools through workshops, presentations, and through on-the-floor instruction where the process is performed. This is done to introduce our techniques to your employees so that they understand the improvement process. This will also help to achieve the "buy-in" of your employees necessary to effect the cultural change needed to implement and sustain the improvements after the completion of our work.
Next, a cross functional team consisting of employees from various functional areas of your company, is formed to implement the improvements. With the training provided, the team, led by HPK Group, analyzes the current state of the process and identifies opportunities for improvement. From the opportunities identified, the team develops tasks to rapidly implement improvements. During this implementation period, the team meets periodically to report progress and resolve issues. Also during implementation, a performance measurement system is developed to ensure production goals are continually met and to help sustain the implemented improvements.
