| Parameters | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leadership alignment |
No leadership alignment for process improvements | Leadership is somewhat aligned with process improvements, but visible and active selection and review of projects are not in place. No trained and committed resources available to support projects | Leadership aligned with process improvements, visible and active selection and review of projects. No resources available to support projects | Leadership is aligned with vital few metrics, visible selection and review of projects. Some trained resources available | Trained and committed resources supporting projects |
| Leadership approach toward Lean |
Company executives demonstrate no understanding of the Lean approach | Executives demonstrate an understanding of the Lean approach | Executives demonstrate an understanding or Lean but do not have full faith | Executives demonstrate good understanding and have faith in Lean. Leadership committed but not prepared for accelerated biz improvement | Sr. execs have full understanding and faith in Lean; leadership prepared for accelerated biz improvement |
| Employee involvement |
Little or no involvement of people in process improvements | Involvement of people in process improvements to some extent and people are eager to work in teams | People form cross-functional teams whenever a problem arises | Quality improvement, problem solving and corrective action teams in place. 25 to 50% of employees involved in teams | 50% or more involved in teams; open access to top management; empowered to stop the process for quality |
| Training/ Education |
No training on Lean tools or quality improvement tools, methodologies or even concepts | Few team members have heard about different concepts of improvement methodology but not formally trained | Team members are trained in some basic concepts like 5S, Lean overview, 7 QC tools | Team members have good understanding of process improvement methodologies | More than 5% of employee time devoted to training and implementing improvements |
| Process capability |
The area of assessment has sigma level less than or equal to 1, for its most critical process. Cpk is less than or equal to 0.33 | The area has sigma level greater than 1 but less than or equal to 2. Cpk lies between 0.33 and 0.66 | The area has sigma level greater than 2 but less than or equal to 4. Cpk lies between 0.66 and 1.33 | The area has sigma level greater than 4 but less than 6. Cpk lies between 1.33 and 2 | The area has sigma level greater than or equal to 6. Cpk is greater than or equal to 2 |
| Approach to errors |
Errors will happen; inspect them out; accept cost of scrap and rework; deal with customer complaints | Although errors happen but some initial thought prevails to implement or design error-free systems using Lean | Inspection and control only; some data collection to regulate variance | Inspection, control and improve; data collected to regulate variance | Zero-defect quality mindset |
| Data driven problem solving |
Insufficient data available for key processes needing improvement | Organization does not use data driven problem solving methods to a great extent. Data collection processes are not systematic and in place | Org uses data driven problem solving methods. Data collection is systematic and efficient, although MSA not done extensively | MSA is done extensively and people know the tools needed to analyze data | Org uses data driven problem solving methods across the spectrum |
| Methodologies of continuous improvement (CI) |
No formalized improvement methods exist. No evidence of employees, or managers concerned about CI | Improvements reactive – usually come from management, engineering, supervision or when a customer complaint is received. Some training started in problem solving | Some improvement methodology evident; teams sometimes used to develop solutions. CI training supported by management | CI used to advance company. All associates trained. Open documentation and dashboards used to track improvements tied to dollar savings | Methods such as PDCA are known and used by all employees; CI is part of company culture |
| Standard work |
No standard work procedures exist. No understanding of the connection between CI and work standards | Some standard work procedures exist to show how the process made, materials flow and administrative processes function but are not current nor displayed. Thinking of internal customers begins | All standard work procedures can be seen in most areas. Process owners know the what, when, where, why and how of their areas. Ownership taken to use standards and keep them current | Standard work procedures are current and posted in appropriate areas | Employees have quick and free access to all standard work. CI to operations reflected in procedures |
| Value stream mapping |
No process is mapped according to the value stream | An understanding of VSM is evident. Some attempts have been made to map a simple process | A number of people have been trained in VSM, some processes mapped. No improvements | Most understand value of VSM. Mapping has uncovered opportunities for improvement. Action plans are in place. Rapid improvement blitzes preceeded by VSM | Most processes mapped with results of action plans recorded |
| Accounting support to Lean |
Accounting system provides basic financial data based on cost accounting. There is little awareness of accounting’s role in support Lean initiatives | There is an awareness that accounting has a role in Lean. Some staff has been trained and initial analysis has been undertaken | All key staff has been trained. Pilot project has begun; department targeting waste in its processes | Key value streams are using Lean. Decisions are being made using Lean financial data. Some initial investigation to review current standard cost methods | Accounting system provides financial data based on measurements at the value stream level and provide support for Lean |
| 5S/ House-keeping |
Disruptive and messy, no formal workplace organization standard in place. No order, area untidy, materials have multiple locations | Company aware of 5S principles but no training underway. Non-routine cleaning takes place | Most areas have begun 5S. Materials have permanent positions, cleaning schedule followed. Teams investigate root causes of disorder. Employees participate, support, understand and do most cleaning | Audit teams assess 5S standards. All areas working on standardizing processes. Evidence of employee pride | Clean, orderly, self-maintained; always “tour ready” |