Lead-time Reduction through Leading by Target Conditions

Presented By:

Julie Davis
Co-facilitator, Cliff Taylor

The plan for session would be to describe the Siemens  Leadtime challenge – show a short 4 minute video and then to the simulation in the practice session below.

The Lead-time reduction challenge at the Siemens Gas Turbine plant in Charlotte NC combined the Lean principles of Takt, Flow, Pull, Perfection with the leadership culture and scientific problem solving approach of Kata to find success. Short term Current and Target Conditions were created for each area of the value stream.  (purchasing, manufacturing, quality, and engineering)  Everyone had a “T-model” describing their next target condition and the improve begin. First in structured workshops followed by coaching for sustainability, then through cascaded visual operational management meetings. If the target wasn’t met,  the obstacle was defined and next step defined. Together, we learned about the power of the Target Condition instead of just a target. The benefit of being obstacle oriented, instead of solution oriented.  And that Lean combined with Kata culture makes it finally work.

Learning Objectives

In this workshop participants will learn…

  • Using the improving and coaching routine for Lean Transformation
  • Coaching for improvement sustainability
  • Visual Operational Management to daily practice scientific thinking

Facilitator Bio:

Julie Davis has a BSME from West Virginia University – GM, Bosch, Schaeffler Automotive experience as Process Engineer, Strategic Purchasing and Quality Manager. Moved to Siemens about 6 years ago to focus on Continuous Improvement. Began Kata implementation in 2014.
Cliff Taylor has a BSEE from the University of Florida & MBA from the University of Central Florida30 years as Continuous Improvement (CI) Practitioner & Leader.  Began CI journey with Florida Power & Light during its’ successful quest for the Deming Prize.  Moved from the utility world to learn Six Sigma and spent two years as a fulltime Black Belt for General Electric.  Joined Siemens Energy as a Process Leader to mentor, coach, teach and facilitate all CI efforts.  Consulted in CI for 4 years before rejoining Siemens to mentor, coach, teach and facilitate both Six Sigma belts and Lean Practitioners.  Began migration to Kata methodology in 2016.