Lean Six Sigma is a business improvement methodology that maximizes shareholder value by achieving the fastest rate of improvement in customer satisfaction, cost, quality, process speed and invested capital. The fusion of lean and Six Sigma improvement methods is required because:

• Lean cannot bring a process under statistical control.
• Six Sigma alone cannot dramatically improve process speed or reduce invested capital.
• Both enable the reduction of the cost of complexity.

We can work with your organization as it begins the lean Six Sigma journey working to develop strategic plans and training requirements and assisting with the application of lean and Six Sigma tools to improving your operations.

Work measurement is performed to develop the standard time to perform operations. Time standards have traditionally been defined as the time required by a typical operator, working at a normal pace, to perform a specified task using a prescribed method, with personal, fatigue and delay time allowed. Prior to the application of this allowance these times are generally referred to as normal times. A key part of the definition is the phrase relating to prescribed method. Work standards measure the time required to perform defined tasks correctly. An essential part of having fair standards is the definition of the work method. Once established the standards must continually be monitored and re-engineered when the work method changes.

We can assist your organization in developing effective work methods as well as determining the time standards for the work. Traditional stopwatch studies along with predetermined time systems and standard data systems can be implemented.

It is costly to arrange plant departments and the production facilities in them. If the arrangement is a poor one, management will be faced with persistent costly inefficiencies or an expensive rearrangement. The first installation must be a good one to minimize such later cost decisions. The ideal facilities layout should minimize costs – total or long-term costs of plant operation. This includes not only the obvious costs affected by the layout, such as material handling, but a very large number of cost considerations more likely to be neglected.

Layouts must be designed to accommodate changes in the business environment. Included in the considerations are the following: Addition of new product; Change in product demand; Replacement of obsolete equipment; and Methods revision and cost reduction.

We will assist your organization in either designing a layout for a new facility or evaluating an existing facility.

Project management is a carefully planned and organized effort to accomplish a specific, usually one-time effort, for example, implementing a new computer system. Project management includes developing a project plan, which includes defining project goals and objectives, specifying tasks or how goals will be achieved, what resources are needed and associating budgets and timelines for completion. It also includes implementing the project plan, along with careful controls to stay on the "critical path," that is, to ensure the plan is being managed according to plan.

IISE Solutions can assist in developing a project plan and managing that plan to conclusion.

Change management is a structured approach for ensuring that changes are thoroughly and smoothly implemented, and that the lasting benefits of change are achieved. The focus is on the wider impacts of change, particularly on people and how they, as individuals and teams, move from the current situation to the new one. The change in question could range from a simple process change to major changes in policy or strategy needed if the organization is to achieve its potential.

Our team can work with your team to assure minimal disruptions by developing strategies and implementation plans for handling the new way of doing business.

Operational excellence (OpEx) is an approach to business management that emphasizes continuous improvement across all aspects of the business and within all business processes by creating a culture where management and employees are invested in business outcomes and empowered to implement change. It aims to increase efficiency, reduce waste and costs, and improve quality and customer satisfaction. The goal of OpEx is to ensure that operations create and deliver products that customers want in order to increase shareholder value.

Examples of OpEx include: making frequent, small, reversible changes; refining operations procedures frequently; setting up regular game days to review and validate procedures; and using SMART key performance indicators (KPIs)

IISE Solutions can assist in the development of OpEx programs to enhance continuous improvement and improve operational culture

Ergonomics is the science that studies how to best make the work environment fit the worker. The goal of ergonomics is to help prevent injury and increase comfort and productivity. To do this, ergonomists call upon the principles of engineering, biology, architecture, physiology and psychology in designing and optimizing work systems and environments. Studies have shown that ergonomic improvements result in productivity increases, dramatic increases in worker satisfaction and a significant decrease in workplace injuries

We can assist your organization by providing everything from an ergonomics assessment to assisting with the design of ergonomically sound workplaces.

Engineering analytics is the process of leveraging data into actionable insights. These strategies are applicable to a wide range of applications including customer segmentation for better resource utilization, improved performance tracking for diagnosis and maintenance, classification strategies for improved inventory management, better use of sales data for increased revenues and customer satisfaction and better forecasts.

IISE Solutions will work with you to understand the concepts and apply the principles as your organization uses big data to focus your business strategy.

Simulation is an extremely valuable tool being used frequently in industry and government to assist in the design, creation and evaluation of complex systems. Models can be constructed to assist in the design of large-scale systems, evaluate alternate courses of action and improve the efficiency of your manufacturing or service center.

We will help you identify the best simulation systems that will meet your needs and help you to implement the initial projects.

Material handling is the process of moving, storing, and controlling materials and goods from one location to another. It can be used in many industries but is most common in distribution and warehousing.

Some key aspects of material handling include: using available space efficiently, including vertical space; moving materials in the most efficient way; using standardized processes and equipment to achieve predictable results; considering the capabilities and limitations of humans when planning tasks and ordering equipment; and using computerized devices and robots to move materials, which can improve efficiency and worker safety

Material handling equipment can be manual, semi-automated, or automated. Examples of material handling equipment include forklifts, conveyors, shelves, and autonomous mobile robots.

We can assist your organization with reviewing current systems and evaluation of new systems to meet your material handling needs.

Warehousing is the process of storing and organizing goods in a warehouse before they are sold, distributed, or manufactured. Warehouses are typically equipped with storage areas, loading docks, conveyors, and other material-handling equipment.

Warehousing has many functions including: providing space to store inventory, equipment, and other items; protecting products; picking, packing, and shipping products; tracking, monitoring, and controlling inventory levels; and orders are fulfilled in a timely manner.

Our IISE Solutions team can assist with helping your businesses manage inventory more efficiently and optimize shipment processes in the warehouse.

Operations Technology focuses on the research, financial justification, development, implementation, and support of operations-facing technologies with the intent of improving safety, efficiency, and information availability. Operations technologies may include handheld and wearable data collections devices, bar code applications, voice recognition, RFID automated, automated laser scanning, sortation related technologies, and time and attendance systems. Additionally, operations technology advancement seeks to utilize complex technologies such as robotics, big data, and artificial intelligence/machine learning to solve front-line challenges.

We offer operations technology evaluations and solutions that will provide you with the edge to be cost competitive and improve performance visibility.

Sustainability in business refers to a company's strategy and actions to reduce adverse environmental and social impacts resulting from business operations in a particular market. Sustainability programs generate actionable insight that helps companies understand and navigate the risks and opportunities associated with sustainability. An organization’s sustainability practices are typically benchmarked against environmental, social and governance metrics.

Our team can assist your organization by developing a sustainable strategy which assesses risks and improves resiliency to meet development goals. Additionally, we can help Improve energy management efficiency by suggesting alternative power sources and carbon accounting.

Supply chain refers to the entire process of managing the flow of goods and services from the initial raw materials to the final consumer, encompassing all aspects like sourcing, production, and distribution. Logistics is a subset focusing on the movement and storage of goods within that supply chain including transportation, warehousing, fulfillment, packaging and inventory management. Logistics is a key component of a broader supply chain management system.

In a supply chain scenario, a company would analyze the best location for a new manufacturing facility to optimize their entire supply chain, considering raw material sourcing, production processes, and distribution networks. While in a logistics use case a company might determine the most efficient transportation route to deliver finished products from a warehouse to retail stores, considering factors like distance, cost, and delivery time.

IISE Solutions can assist your company with solving supply chain and logistics problems to better manage turnaround times and reduce transportation costs.