Posts written by TGG


From our experience at TGG, companies often recognize their biggest challenges but lack the internal resources to address them effectively.  That is, resource optimization has not been identified as a constraint.

High-performing / high functioning individuals are overloaded with work, while many leaders remain underutilized due to insufficient training in scoping, measuring, and solving complex problems.

Speed in an organization—particularly in responding to customers—can be measured by the bandwidth of problem solvers available. To address these challenges more effectively, it’s crucial to train more problem solvers and develop cross-functional collaboration.

Tools for Solving Challenges

There are various ways to develop your people, but one essential tool to start with is scoping. “Use only as much tool as you need.” If the solution is known, employ a simple tool. If the solution is unknown, begin with discovery tools to scope the problem’s size.  

At TGG, we use two primary tools:

  1. Tool Selection Matrix: This matrix describes common problems and the tools to address them.  Per the statement above, this matrix allows the problem solver to consider numerous methods to measure the problem.  Development of a high level SIPOC with a cross-functional team may be enough to identify areas of concern and then simply add more process measurement. 
  2. If the challenges the organization face are serious to the health and/or survival of the organization, then the team must determine how long the solution will take to implement.
  3. Project Type Matrix: This matrix starts with a simple question.  Do we know the solution?  If the answer is yes, then form a team and begin the work.  If the answer is no, then more project definition is required.  This matrix also explains that changing the culture is always part of the solution. Without addressing cultural change management elements, new solutions are likely to fail.

Story of Success

“Widespread fast” remains a popular approach. At TGG, we recommend multiple waves of problem-solving training with two main goals: increasing the number and bandwidth of problem solvers and internalizing this training.

We welcome a phone call to discuss your most complex challenges. It’s likely we’ve encountered similar issues with other clients in the past.

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To achieve our key financial milestones over the next year, we must address the challenge of turning known EBITDA targets into actionable plans. Often, organizations lack a clear implementation plan to meet these financial goals. As the saying goes, “hope is not a strategy.” So, how can your organization overcome this challenge?

One effective tool is the “Paynter” matrix, which we have developed specifically for the finance community. This matrix lists profit and loss line items on one axis and current projects on the other. For large organizations, this can include 30 to 40 active projects, each driven or co-led by Green Belts. Projects are linked with an “X” to indicate which P&L areas they impact. This visual tool makes it easy to see if there are projects supporting specific financial improvements, such as reducing scrap expenses.

All strategic projects must have a financial justification approved by the controller or CFO. Another valuable tool is the X matrix, which lists strategic goals, projects, and leaders. At TGG, we use a custom template with a Gantt chart inset to track project timelines. This ensures no champion or sponsor is overloaded, no quarter has an unreasonable number of projects, and everyone on the management team knows their expected individual and team contributions.

Building on the information above I want to paint another picture for you.  How often are you unprepared for an important meeting with your boss or your bosses’ boss?  Typically, the answer to that question is – not very often.

At TGG, we build a “wall of fame” listing future projects to be completed in the next 3 to 9 months, including the project name, problem statement, champion, project leader, and team members. This visibility and accountability typically lead to teams exceeding expectations. Just like that upcoming and important meeting with your boss, these teams typically will be very well prepared to deliver project results.

With proper coaching and data analytics, teams can identify root causes, develop solutions, and achieve the key milestones we’ve discussed.

For more information, feel free to contact us.

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What are the company’s top priorities for the next quarter, and how do they align with the long-term strategy?

Why is this a recurring, challenging question? Many companies struggle to effectively communicate their strategic vision beyond the C-suite and sales teams. This challenge arises because:

  • The vision is not documented.
  • It changes frequently.
  • It lacks the essential elements to capture employees’ attention.

Tools to Address This Challenge To overcome these obstacles and ensure stakeholder alignment, we utilize several tools:

  • Hoshin Planning (Policy Deployment): This process results in an X matrix and typically requires a 3 to 4 day strategic planning workshop.
  • Storyboards: We use these to further explain the AIP’s (Annual Improvement Plans). Assigning AIP champions is essential.
  • Communication Templates: These ensure consistent messaging and stakeholder engagement.

Success Story An illustrative example, albeit dated, is the “I’m Spartacus” scene. While fictional, it effectively demonstrates solidarity and collective identity. This scene underscores the power of unity and shared purpose.

To ensure strategic clarity, we recommend:

  • Written and Publicly Posted Strategic Matrix: This should be free from confidential financials and supported by a detailed A3 storyboard, also publicly posted.

Principles for Effective Strategy Communication To make your company’s long-term strategy understood and embraced by employees, it should:

  • Be initiated by leadership from the top.
  • Be comprehensive and detailed.
  • Be inspiring and positive.
  • Include the three persuasive components: logos (logical, data-driven), pathos (emotional appeal), and ethos (authenticity).

By following these principles, you can foster a deeper understanding and commitment to the company’s strategic vision among all employees.

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Many OEE measurements are based on standards.
Sometimes those standards are wrong.

 

tgg OEE Waterfalls Greatly Simplify Making Improvements

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In today’s fast-paced world, sustaining improvements is paramount. With a unified software system, businesses gain the ability to effortlessly track and measure progress. From streamlining processes to optimizing workflows, this cohesive approach empowers organizations to make data-driven decisions, foster innovation, and achieve long lasting success. Harness the power of a single system and unlock your company’s full potential to sustain the waves of the economy. 

What makes sustainability difficult? 

  • Hiring new managers & employees
  • Changes in customer needs
  • New competitors in your marketplace
  • New software & new equipment

 

All of these ‘changes’ in our management systems make sustainability of results difficult. One solution? Lean management software that allows you to complete *simple audits that keep your organization on track and making money. 

Compass is a suite of tools that allow measurement, standardization, governance, audits, and learning to occur within a Lean Management System that is customized to your business. You select the tools that you need and allow Compass to do the rest. 

 

Let us help you make the improvements stick. 

 

https://www.guthriegroup.com/software/compass/ 

 

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  • 5.16.2023


In today’s digital age, software has become an indispensable tool for improving productivity and efficiency. With the right software, individuals and organizations can automate repetitive tasks, collaborate in real-time, and analyze data to make better decisions. From project management to customer relationship management, there are software solutions for almost every task imaginable. By leveraging software, individuals and organizations can save time, reduce errors, and improve their overall performance. The key is to choose software that is user-friendly, reliable, and tailored to the specific needs of the user. 

One of our proprietary software solutions is our very own TggLSW. TggLSW is a web-based software that integrates directly with Microsoft Outlook and allows you to build strategic alignment through defined roles and responsibilities. 

Our process in 5 steps:

  1. Build Strategic Alignment
  2. Build Local LSW Outlook Calendars
  3. Assign and Download Tasks into Outlook
  4. Analyze Each Category Using Data from Outlook
  5. Plan-Do-Check-Adjust… Make Improvements

Call us today to get a FREE demo on this software and to learn more what it could do for your business!

 

 

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Do you ask yourself:

What should I stock?  How Much, of each type should I stock?  Should I store Finished Goods, Work in Process (WIP) or Raw Materials?

You could benefit from our Runner, Repeater, Stranger Event

These were the questions posed to a manufacturing company during a recent Runner, Repeater, Stranger Inventory Analysis engagement.

The objectives of this engagement:

  • Have enough inventory to ship, consistently, to Customers.
  • Improve transparency of data and accuracy of information
  • Build more trust in the process and create a system they can all utilize.
  • Increase profitability.
  • More independence from factory orders

During the analysis tgg and the company:

  • Reviewed 18 months of shipped volume.
  • Corrected misidentified ‘strangers’ and modified the data.
  • Computed RRS classifications and Kanban min/max classifications.
  • Initiated initial stock order.

By the end of this four-week engagement the company had:

  • 1+ week lead time (down from 4+ weeks)
  • 45% Inventory reduction ($ and SKU’s)
  • 75% Inventory accuracy (up from 25%)
  • Lean overview training
  • Increased refresh rates for both inventory & spare parts from every 24 hours to every hour
  • Reviewed info inventory codes.
  • Reviewed current ways to check inventory.

Graphs and Report Outs

The below graphs represent the data from the analysis. This side-by-side comparison for each type (Runner, Repeater, Stranger) shows weekly shipped orders on the left with the coefficient of variation on the right. 

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Technology can be invaluable for businesses looking to reduce labor costs and save time. By streamlining processes and automating repetitive tasks, businesses can save money and increase efficiency. In this blog, we will explore some of the ways that technology can be used to reduce labor costs and save time in businesses.

One great way to reduce labor costs is to invest in automation. Automation can aid businesses in reducing costs associated with hiring and training new employees, as well as reducing or even eliminating the need for repetitive and time-consuming manual tasks. Automation can also help improve the accuracy of tasks and reduce the amount of time required to complete them. 

Automation: https://www.guthriegroup.com/consulting/develop-your-enterprise/transactional-consulting/pc-process-mapping/ 

Another way to reduce labor costs and save time is to use cloud-based services. By hosting applications and data in the cloud, businesses can reduce the need for expensive hardware and IT staff while improving the speed and accuracy of their operations. Additionally, cloud-based services can be easily scaled up or down as needed, allowing businesses to quickly adjust to changes in their environment. 

Cloud based services:  Put your Lean transformation data with tgg. https://www.guthriegroup.com/software/compass/ 

Finally, businesses can save time and reduce labor costs by investing in analytics. There are very little problems that we cannot solve with RCFA.  Whether the problems are operational, capacity, or financial, we can aggressively move your team to smooth uninterrupted flow. 

TGG will work with you and your team through the following steps: 

1 – Develop problem statement 
2 – Scope the problem 
3 – Set the Target 
4 – Identify root causes (Get data!) 
5 – Identify solutions 
6 – Implement solutions 
7 – Evaluate the solution 
8 – Standardize the solution 

This tool requires data analysis capabilities and moves us deeper into numerous tools within Lean Six Sigma.

By collecting, storing, and analyzing data, businesses gain insight into their operations, allowing them to make better decisions and improve process efficiency. Analytics also help businesses identify opportunities for improvement and cost savings, as well as areas where additional staff or resources may be needed. 

Analytics: https://www.guthriegroup.com/consulting/develop-your-enterprise/transactional-consulting/root-cause-analysis-transactional/ 

In summary, there are several ways that businesses can use technology to reduce labor costs and save time. By investing in automation, cloud-based services, and analytics, businesses can save money and increase efficiency. TGG’s tools allow you to identify root cause of excessive email. How much time do you spend each day processing email? Submit your problem statement today! 

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Structured problem-solving, teamwork and increased productivity are the foundational elements of any successful business. At TGG, we understand the importance of these concepts and strive to help our clients achieve the highest levels of success. In this blog, we will discuss how implementing effective problem-solving and teamwork strategies can aid businesses in increasing their overall productivity.

Structured problem-solving begins with identifying the root cause(s) of the issue before attempting to develop a solution. By taking the time to fully evaluate the problem and determine the root cause(s), businesses can avoid costly mistakes and focus their efforts on finding the most effective resolution. Additionally, implementing teamwork strategies can help businesses to effectively collaborate, increase their overall safety, and implement the best solutions. Teamwork allows for the sharing of ideas and perspectives, which can lead to creative solutions that wouldn’t have been identified by working solo.

Once the root cause(s) have been documented and a solution identified, it is important to quickly implement the new processes and update the documentation. This ensures that the issue is resolved in a timely manner and productivity is unhindered. Additionally, it is important to measure the solution’s success to ensure it is working. This can be accomplished by tracking metrics.  Those might include but are not limited to employee morale, customer satisfaction, and employee productivity. By tracking these metrics, businesses can make adjustments and ensure that problem-solving and teamwork strategies are effective.

At TGG, we understand the importance of structured problem-solving and teamwork, and how they can empower businesses to become more productive. We strive to help our clients implement effective solutions to meet or exceed their goals and achieve success.

 

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Which inventory should you stock? How much, of each type, should you store in raw materials, work in process, and finished goods? How often should you schedule production? What is your stocking strategy? 

These were the questions posed to a manufacturing company during a recent Runner, Repeater, Stranger Inventory Analysis engagement.

The objectives of this engagement:

  • Have enough inventory to ship, consistently, to customers
  • Improve transparency of data and accuracy of information
  • Build more trust in the process and create a system they can all utilize and build
  • Increase profitability
  • More independence from factory orders

During the analysis tgg and the company:

  • Reviewed 18 months of shipped demand
  • Corrected misidentified ‘strangers’ and modified the dataset
  • Computed RRS classifications and Kanban min/max classifications
  • Initiated initial stock order

By the end of this four-week engagement the company had:

  • Lean overview training
  • Increased refresh rates for both inventory & spare parts from every 24 hours to every hour
  • Reviewed info inventory codes
  • Reviewed current ways to check inventory

Graphs and Report Outs

The below graphs represent the data from the analysis. This side-by-side comparison for each type (Runner, Repeater, Stranger) shows weekly shipped orders on the left with the coefficient of variation on the right. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you had difficulty answering any of the above questions, the Runner, Repeater, Stranger (RRS) Inventory Analysis might be just the tool for you. With this thorough statistical analysis, tgg can help your organization not only answer ‘how much inventory’, but also create a standard run strategy and schedule to maintain these levels. Move from 4+ weeks of lead time with 25% forecast accuracy to 1+ week lead with 75% accuracy. 

Click here to learn more about the RRS Analysis or contact us!

 

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Define your Problem Statement.

The first step towards breaking your organizational log jams is identifying and verbalizing the challenge you're facing. What are you trying to solve? This simple Problem Statement exercise can have profound implications for your team. It helps you define the issue and gives TGG some sense of where the soft spots could be in your Order to Cash process. We invite you to take a few moments to fill out this form. A TGG consultant will contact you shortly to discuss your Problem Statement and provide some insight on how we may be able to help.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
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