The IALS Blog
The 5W2H methodology for problem statements
How to set your team up for success Imagine this scenario… Pat the Plant person comes into the control room and says in frustration, “The @#$$%&! piece of equipment broke AGAIN!!! We need to do an investigation and fix it NOW!” The team on shift were frustrated...
Having a fun mindset
“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.”– Walt DisneyThis is one of my favorite quotes, as it really establishes the drivers and passion for an organization. Think about it…. If people are passionate about the mission, and are having fun while doing it, you have that...
Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement – 2×2 prioritization
You’ve found the hidden revenue… now how to prioritize all the opportunities? A few weeks ago, I had blogged about the 8 hidden wastes, using the acronym DOWNTIME… This is a simplistic reminder to look in various areas for the hidden revenue streams. A thorough...
My vacuum cleaner moment
How a repaired vacuum cleaner was one of my Operational Excellence "Ah-Ha!" Moments… Operational Excellence to me is about a vacuum cleaner moment at work, earlier in my career. You are now thinking…. WHAT??!! Please stay with me for a moment………. There are a lot of...
Resilience, Bravery, and Humor… Lessons from my Dziadziu
On this Memorial Day weekend, I think about my Dziadziu (that's Polish for grandfather). He's the guy 2nd from the left in the grainy photo above. He was a sergeant in the anti-tank division of the Polish Army during WWII. After the war, he and his family reunited and...
Discover hidden revenue streams – the 8 wastes of lean (DOWNTIME)
Is your small- or mid-sized company experiencing rapid growth but struggling to maximize potential? Are you unsure how much better your revenue could be? Discover your hidden revenue streams and transform inefficiencies into profit-generating opportunities. Using the...
Operational Excellence – at the heart of the matter
Operational Excellence – it’s about hitting your goals each time to ensure customer satisfaction. There are multiple interpretations to how to establish an operational excellence program, and I propose that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. A system must be...
Unveiling the Power of Root Cause Failure Analysis: Transforming Operational Excellence and Shifting Mindset & Behaviors
Let's ignite the energy around Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA)! Imagine a dynamic journey where we dive into the heart of incidents, not merely to assign blame, but to unravel the intricate threads of causality. RCFA isn't just about dissecting safety mishaps or...
Introducing IALS Consulting
It’s been an exciting week that started with the launch of IALS Consulting! The amount of well wishes from folks has been very much appreciated. I’d like to take a little bit of time to introduce the business and focus areas. IALS stands for Improvement and Lean...