Knowledge centre · Improve
Improve tool guides
32 guides for the Improve phase. Learn the method, its reasoning and assumptions, the developed example, and the decisions the result supports.
Improve · 01
Conceive Solutions
Turn verified causes into several testable solution concepts before committing to an implementation.
Improve · 02
5S
Organize and maintain the work environment so normal work is easy and abnormal conditions are visible.
Improve · 03
Poka Yoke
Prevent errors or detect them at their source before they become downstream defects.
Improve · 04
Workplace Layout
Arrange space around safe material and information flow, measured travel, and operating needs.
Improve · 05
Theory of Constraints
Improve system throughput by focusing on the factor that limits the whole operation.
Improve · 06
Setup Time Reduction
Separate internal and external changeover work to reduce downtime safely and enable smaller batches.
Improve · 07
Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
Develop equipment reliability through coordinated operator care, planned maintenance, and loss elimination.
Improve · 08
Generic Pull System (GPS)
Define a general pull design in which downstream need authorizes work and limits work in process.
Improve · 09
Replenishment Pull System (RPS)
Replace specifically withdrawn stock through controlled signals, quantities, and replenishment timing.
Improve · 10
Two Bin Replenishment Pull System
Use an empty working bin as a replenishment trigger while a sized reserve protects consumption.
Improve · 11
Determination of Batch Size
Balance setup or ordering effort with inventory, response time, capacity, and service constraints.
Improve · 12
Process Flow and Process Logic
Design the movement and decision rules that carry work from a valid start to an accepted finish.
Improve · 13
Brainstorming
Generate a broad set of ideas while deliberately separating generation from evaluation.
Improve · 14
Anti-Solution Brainstorming
Reverse the desired outcome to expose failure mechanisms, then translate them into safeguards and improvements.
Improve · 15
Brainwriting
Generate ideas in writing before group discussion so contributions are less dependent on airtime.
Improve · 16
SCAMPER
Use seven transformation prompts to create alternatives for an existing process or service.
Improve · 17
Analogy Brainstorming
Borrow mechanisms from other settings to create testable dispatch improvement concepts, while checking where the analogy breaks.
Improve · 18
Affinity Diagram
Organize unstructured dispatch ideas into meaningful themes without treating the themes as measured causes.
Improve · 19
Must Criteria
Screen improvement options against non-negotiable requirements before comparing their desirable benefits.
Improve · 20
Effort Benefit Matrix
Position options by expected benefit and delivery effort to choose the next sensible investigation or implementation move.
Improve · 21
N/3 Method
Use a transparent local multivoting convention to narrow a long idea list, while preserving minority concerns and feasibility checks.
Improve · 22
Nominal Group Technique
Combine silent idea generation, equal contribution, clarification, and private prioritization to make group judgment more balanced.
Improve · 23
Pugh Matrix
Compare feasible solution concepts with a stated baseline using ordinal judgments, then investigate the trade-offs behind the symbols.
Improve · 24
Solution–cause matrix
Connect proposed solutions to investigated causes to expose coverage gaps, unsupported assumptions, and the need for a focused pilot.
Improve · 25
Future-state process map
Design the intended dispatch flow, including information, queues, exceptions, and ownership, before implementing the change.
Improve · 26
Cost Benefit Analysis
Compare improvement options over a stated horizon using incremental cash flows, separately reported capacity benefits, and sensitivity analysis.
Improve · 27
Prepare Process Control
Design ownership, operational checks, measurement, and response arrangements before transferring an improved process into daily operation.
Improve · 28
Reaction Plan
Specify who contains an abnormality, investigates it, authorizes recovery, and verifies that normal dispatch can safely resume.
Improve · 29
Pilot
Test a defined improvement in a bounded operating setting with comparators, pre-specified outcomes, guardrails, and explicit uncertainty.
Improve · 30
Implementation Plan
Translate the chosen design into owned, sequenced work with dependencies, acceptance evidence, and an operating handover.
Improve · 31
Risk Analysis
Identify how an improvement could fail, prioritize consequences and uncertainty, and assign prevention, detection, contingency, and review.
Improve · 32
Rollout
Expand a verified dispatch improvement in controlled waves, using local readiness, performance evidence, and recovery gates to govern adoption.