Due to the remarkable positive effect of lean adoption in various firms in the manufacturing sector, it has been adopted by several organizations within the healthcare industry. Although the rate of adopting lean by hospitals in the developed countries is slower than it should be, it proved to be effective in helping healthcare organizations maintain or even improve their quality of care while containing their related costs. However, such adoption did not take place until the beginning of the new millennium. And with such adoption, it has been accompanied with major challenges related to proper lean implementation, sustainability of achieved levels of performance, and staff engagement in infinite cycles of continuous improvement towards perfection. Thus, the purpose of this study is to develop a framework that helps healthcare organizations quantify their experience with lean. Such quantification is obtained by measuring the agreement level of hospital staff members about the degree of adopting two sets of critical factors of successful lean implementation within their hospital. These two sets of factors are classified as process factors and organizational factors. The proposed framework has been validated by determining the sustainability level of lean implementation within one of U.S. hospitals in the State of Florida. The developed framework provides a balanced assessment of both process and organizational factors essential for achieving sustainable levels of lean implementation. In order to accommodate for the observed variation in lean adoption in hospitals, individual hospital iv departments are considered the ―analysis units‖ of the developed framework. In order to quantify the implementation status of lean within a hospital department, a survey-based lean sustainability assessment tool has been developed based on the defined sets of factors. The sustainability level of lean implementation of a hospital can be obtained by combining various responses of its surveyed departments. The developed framework is the first that addresses both process and organizational factors of sustainable lean implementation in a balanced manner while fulfilling the assessment needs of all healthcare organizations regardless of their current level of lean adoption. In addition, utilizing the framework within a hospital enhances employee involvement and respect for employee which are essential for sustainable lean implementation. Finally, the developed framework provides healthcare supervising authorities (i.e. ministries of health or corporate offices of hospitals’ groups) a macro-level benchmarking view regarding the progress of their hospitals towards implementing sustainable levels of lean.

Measuring the use of resources in a production process has been a subject under great scrutiny since more than a hundred years ago. Traditionally, costing systems and cost accounting systems have been in charge of such functions in manufacturing corporations. On the other hand, in recent years Lean Manufacturing has become a powerful and popular force for change. A premier tool for process visualization and understanding is Value Stream Mapping, and it focuses primarily in the time dimension of the processes. However, it is clear that the interaction of cost and time is very important. This is felt in everyday occurrences, such as paying interests for credit cards, mortgages and other types of loans. It is intuitive that the longer a certain amount of money is held, the more it costs. Also, if a larger amount of money is held for one day, it will obviously cost more than holding a smaller amount of money. Therefore, cost and time, BOTH, determine the real cost of the use of money. However, this simple perception has not been applied equally to the measurement of manufacturing processes. They usually concentrate on either cost or time, but seldom in both at the same time and their interaction. The Westinghouse corporation formalized the concepts of the Cost-Time Profile in 1993, based on work done there during several decades. Simply put, the Cost-Time Profile measures how much money is invested in the manufacturing process of a product and for how long, creating a chart that presents the accumulated cost at every point in time (Cost-Time Profile) and measuring the area under this curve (Cost-Time Investment), and then using this quantification to measure the bottom line impact. This research has accomplished two main things: the detailed consideration of the Cost-Time Profile (CTP) and the issues and factors that affect it, and the extension of the concepts to the new reality of Extended Enterprises. In a logical sequence, the basic concepts of CTP are defined and presented. Then, the extension of them to Inter-Enterprise environments follows. Successive sections present how to build a CTP and the Inter-Enterprise Cost-Time Profile (IE-CTP), as well as discussing the factors that should be taken into account to bring the IE-CTP to practical applications, such as the effect of batching; the interaction with existing accounting systems; the consideration of direct cost, overhead and profit and the relationships between companies in supply networks to build IE-CTPs. Then the issue of how to improve the results of the Cost-Time Investment (CTI) and CTP is addressed, and schedule optimization models are developed; generic improvement scenarios and lean implementation scenarios are discussed; some simulation studies are presented for cases when this tool has advantages over deterministic tools and an IE-CTP specific software tool is presented. After learning how to improve the CTP and CTI, a discussion about how to use it and implement it is presented, and finally the summary and conclusions close this research report, identifying the contributions presented and leaving open avenues for future research. / Ph. D.

The slow rate of corporate improvement is not due to lack of knowledge of six sigma or lean. Rather, the fault lies in making the transition from theory to implementation. Managers need a step-by-step, unambiguous roadmap of improvement that leads to predictable results. This roadmap provides the self-confidence, punch, and power necessary for action and is the principal subject of this research. Unique to this research is the way the integration of lean and six sigma is achieved; by way of an integration matrix formed by lean implementation protocols and six sigma project phases. This integration matrix is made more prescriptive by an integrated leanness assessment tool, which will guide the user given their existing level of implementation and integration. Further guidance in each of the cells formed by the integration matrix is provided by way of phase methodologies and statistical/non-statistical tools. The output of this research is a software tool that could be used in facilities at any stage of lean implementation, including facilities with no existing lean implementation. The developed software tool has the capability to communicate among current and former project teams within any group, division, or facility in the organization. The developed software tool has also the capability to do data analysis (Example: Design of Experiments, Value Stream Mapping, Multi-Vari Analysis etc.). By way of the integration matrix, leanness assessment and the data analysis capability, the developed software tool will give managers a powerful tool that will help in their quest to achieve lean six sigma. / Master of Science

Increasing global competition, high stumpage and energy prices, and the slowing housing market have challenged the U.S. hardwood lumber industry during the past several years. Many wood product manufactures are trying to remain in business by implementing continuous improvement programs like lean manufacturing. However, the lumber drying process where lumber is kiln-dried in large batches, can significantly increase manufacturing and inventory lead-time; and is a process that tends to limit how lean the remaining process can become. Vacuum drying has the potential to reduce drying times, reduce batch sizes and achieve product quality comparable or superior to conventional drying. The overall goal of this research was to evaluate how vacuum-drying technology could support further lean implementation in manufacturing of hardwood products. Specifically, to estimate conventional and vacuum drying times, quality, and costs for drying 4/4 red oak lumber; to determine by the use of feasibility analysis (cash flow, net present value, and internal rate of return) differences between conventional and vacuum drying for 4/4 red oak lumber; and to determine if the high capital cost of vacuum drying equipment can be justified with the reduction of WIP and cycle time, while meeting desired throughput. The study includes a cost analysis of vacuum and conventional drying, and a determination of the potential financial gains associated with the reduced drying times via vacuum drying. It was determined that vacuum drying quality was equal or better than conventional drying with less checking, end splits, drying stress and shrinkage. Compared to conventional drying, vacuum drying times with air drying and without air drying were 67% less and 70% less, respectively. Conventional and vacuum with no air drying scenarios were determined to be financially feasible when compared using Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return analysis. However, vacuum drying with no air drying had better NPV and IRR values than conventional drying. The scenario of vacuum with air drying was not feasible. Two case studies, each employing the three drying scenarios (conventional drying, vacuum with air drying, and vacuum without air drying), were used to determine the impact of cycle times and work in process. It was determined that the cycle times for vacuum drying were 87% and 95% less than conventional drying for the first case study and 51% and 90% less than conventional drying for the second. WIP was 48% and 84% less in the first case study and 43% and 92% less than conventional drying for the second. Cycle time was reduced by 87% and 51% for Plant C and D, respectively. Finally it was determined that the reduction of WIP represented a cost saving of 73% and 76% for the two case studies. The reduction in costs, faster drying rates, and equal quality, and reduced cycle times make vacuum drying a potential technology available for improvement of the competitiveness for flooring manufacturers. / Master of Science

Os impactos causados na manufatura das empresas que buscam a implementação das técnicas e ferramentas guiadas pelos conceitos da produção enxuta não se limitam às questões técnicas. Para que se atenda ao dinamismo nas operações requerido por essa filosofia, é dado empowerment aos operadores do chão-de-fábrica para que executem ações corretivas e de melhoria por si próprios, mudando os papéis desses funcionários de simples cumpridores de ordens para tomadores de decisão. Para isso, é necessário que, além da autoridade, esses operadores tenham disponíveis as informações requeridas para fomentar adequadamente suas decisões, e que essas informações sejam atuais e alinhadas às diretrizes definidas para a empresa. Este trabalho propõe um modelo de sistema de medição de desempenho e elementos estruturais que têm por objetivo eliminar a lacuna identificada entre outras propostas de sistemas desse tipo e as necessidades identificadas em ambientes de produção enxuta reais. O modelo é baseado no levantamento bibliográfico da literatura técnica sobre o tema e na realização de estudos de casos de duas empresas reconhecidamente bem-sucedidas na implantação da produção enxuta em suas operações. Propõe-se uma estrutura que internaliza as melhorias desenvolvidas pela empresa em políticas que servirão de base para análises e tomada de decisões futuras, formalizando um ciclo virtuoso de estruturação e gestão do sistema de medição de desempenho para ambientes de produção enxuta. / The impacts caused in the manufacturing in companies that look for the implementation of techniques and tolls driven by lean manufacturing concept are not restricted to technical aspects. In order to achieve the dynamism required by this philosophy, the shop floor workers are empowered and they have to conduct corrective and improvement actions by themselves, what changes their roles from command executioners to decision makers. Therefore, it is necessary that, in addition to the authority, these operators have access to the information required to support their decisions adequately - this information must be up to date and related to the guidelines defined by the company. This dissertation proposes a model of performance measurement system that seeks to eliminate the gap identified among other similar proposals and the needs identified in real lean manufacturing environments. The model is based on bibliographical research in the technical literature and on case studies conducted in two companies recognized as successful in implementing lean manufacturing in their operations. It proposes a framework that incorporates the improvements developed in the company into a policy which will serve as basis for future analysis and decisions, i. e., it formalizes a virtuous circle for structuring and managing the performance measurement system for lean manufacturing environments.

A indústria aeronáutica mundial tem se desenvolvido de modo acelerado em termos tecnológicos e de processos de fabricação aplicados. Com isso, tem se buscado melhores soluções durante o desenvolvimento do projeto e fabricação de aeronaves, visando uma melhor qualidade final dos produtos, redução dos ciclos e custos de fabricação, repetibilidade do processo (padronização), problemas com formação e reposição de mão de obra, além da garantia da competitividade da empresa no mercado global. Uma forma para se inovar tecnologicamente e tornar o negócio mais moderno, atrativo e competitivo, é sempre que possível, automatizar a produção e tornar a montagem mais barata, com mais qualidade, inovadora e da forma mais flexível possível. Sendo assim, este trabalho visa o desenvolvimento de um modelo de análise de processo que utiliza os requisitos e conceitos do DFX e Produção Enxuta, voltado para aplicação específica no desenvolvimento de projetos aeronáuticos com foco em automação da produção. O objetivo da ferramenta é auxiliar os engenheiros que atuam no desenvolvimento de projetos de aeronaves, para que os benefícios da automação na produção possam ser alcançados com a utilização do modelo de análise proposto. O trabalho inicia-se com a apresentação do ambiente da indústria aeronáutica mundial, com foco nos processos e novidades tecnológicas aplicadas nos novos produtos. Em seguida são apresentados os princípios da metodologia DFX, a revisão teórica dos conceitos de Produção Enxuta e também aplicações de Automação nos diferentes setores da indústria. Na sequencia é apresentado o modelo de análise desenvolvido em forma de fluxogramas, elaborado com as regras e plano de ações a ser executado durante o desenvolvimento, visando a automação na produção. Dois estudos de caso são apresentados para demonstrar e validar o modelo desenvolvido. Por fim, os resultados são discutidos e a conclusão estabelecida. / Worldwide Aeronautical Industry has been developed faster and faster in terms of technology and its manufacturing processes applied. Thus, it has been planning to reach better results during the aircraft development and manufacturing phases, aiming to get products with high quality, to decrease cycles times and manufacturing costs, to provide a repeatability of processes (standardization), problems with learn ship and reposition of man power and also to assure the company competitiveness in the global market. One way to innovate technologically and to become the business more modern, attractive and competitive, as always as possible is to automate the production to make it cheaper, with a high quality, innovation and with the most flexible condition. Therefore, this thesis aims to develop a model of process analysis using the requirements and concepts of DFX and Lean Manufacturing for specific application on aeronautical projects development with a focus on production automation. The main goal of the guideline is to drive the engineers who work on aircraft development phases, about the automation benefits that can be achieved when using the proposed analytical model. This study starts with the presentation of worldwide aeronautical industry environment, focusing on processes and technologies innovation applied on new products. Next, is presented the principles of DFX methodology, a theoretical review and concepts of Lean Manufacturing and also applications of Automation on new products. Subsequently, it has shown the principles of DFX methodology, theoretical review of Lean Manufacturing concepts and also applications of Automation in different industry sectors. Following is presented the model of analysis developed in form of flowcharts, drawn up the rules and actions plan to be taken during development, aiming automation in production. Two case studies are presented to demonstrate and validate the model developed. Finally, the results are discussed and the conclusion drawn.

A indústria aeronáutica mundial tem se desenvolvido de modo acelerado em termos tecnológicos e de processos de fabricação aplicados. Com isso, tem se buscado melhores soluções durante o desenvolvimento do projeto e fabricação de aeronaves, visando uma melhor qualidade final dos produtos, redução dos ciclos e custos de fabricação, repetibilidade do processo (padronização), problemas com formação e reposição de mão de obra, além da garantia da competitividade da empresa no mercado global. Uma forma para se inovar tecnologicamente e tornar o negócio mais moderno, atrativo e competitivo, é sempre que possível, automatizar a produção e tornar a montagem mais barata, com mais qualidade, inovadora e da forma mais flexível possível. Sendo assim, este trabalho visa o desenvolvimento de um modelo de análise de processo que utiliza os requisitos e conceitos do DFX e Produção Enxuta, voltado para aplicação específica no desenvolvimento de projetos aeronáuticos com foco em automação da produção. O objetivo da ferramenta é auxiliar os engenheiros que atuam no desenvolvimento de projetos de aeronaves, para que os benefícios da automação na produção possam ser alcançados com a utilização do modelo de análise proposto. O trabalho inicia-se com a apresentação do ambiente da indústria aeronáutica mundial, com foco nos processos e novidades tecnológicas aplicadas nos novos produtos. Em seguida são apresentados os princípios da metodologia DFX, a revisão teórica dos conceitos de Produção Enxuta e também aplicações de Automação nos diferentes setores da indústria. Na sequencia é apresentado o modelo de análise desenvolvido em forma de fluxogramas, elaborado com as regras e plano de ações a ser executado durante o desenvolvimento, visando a automação na produção. Dois estudos de caso são apresentados para demonstrar e validar o modelo desenvolvido. Por fim, os resultados são discutidos e a conclusão estabelecida. / Worldwide Aeronautical Industry has been developed faster and faster in terms of technology and its manufacturing processes applied. Thus, it has been planning to reach better results during the aircraft development and manufacturing phases, aiming to get products with high quality, to decrease cycles times and manufacturing costs, to provide a repeatability of processes (standardization), problems with learn ship and reposition of man power and also to assure the company competitiveness in the global market. One way to innovate technologically and to become the business more modern, attractive and competitive, as always as possible is to automate the production to make it cheaper, with a high quality, innovation and with the most flexible condition. Therefore, this thesis aims to develop a model of process analysis using the requirements and concepts of DFX and Lean Manufacturing for specific application on aeronautical projects development with a focus on production automation. The main goal of the guideline is to drive the engineers who work on aircraft development phases, about the automation benefits that can be achieved when using the proposed analytical model. This study starts with the presentation of worldwide aeronautical industry environment, focusing on processes and technologies innovation applied on new products. Next, is presented the principles of DFX methodology, a theoretical review and concepts of Lean Manufacturing and also applications of Automation on new products. Subsequently, it has shown the principles of DFX methodology, theoretical review of Lean Manufacturing concepts and also applications of Automation in different industry sectors. Following is presented the model of analysis developed in form of flowcharts, drawn up the rules and actions plan to be taken during development, aiming automation in production. Two case studies are presented to demonstrate and validate the model developed. Finally, the results are discussed and the conclusion drawn.

Os impactos causados na manufatura das empresas que buscam a implementação das técnicas e ferramentas guiadas pelos conceitos da produção enxuta não se limitam às questões técnicas. Para que se atenda ao dinamismo nas operações requerido por essa filosofia, é dado empowerment aos operadores do chão-de-fábrica para que executem ações corretivas e de melhoria por si próprios, mudando os papéis desses funcionários de simples cumpridores de ordens para tomadores de decisão. Para isso, é necessário que, além da autoridade, esses operadores tenham disponíveis as informações requeridas para fomentar adequadamente suas decisões, e que essas informações sejam atuais e alinhadas às diretrizes definidas para a empresa. Este trabalho propõe um modelo de sistema de medição de desempenho e elementos estruturais que têm por objetivo eliminar a lacuna identificada entre outras propostas de sistemas desse tipo e as necessidades identificadas em ambientes de produção enxuta reais. O modelo é baseado no levantamento bibliográfico da literatura técnica sobre o tema e na realização de estudos de casos de duas empresas reconhecidamente bem-sucedidas na implantação da produção enxuta em suas operações. Propõe-se uma estrutura que internaliza as melhorias desenvolvidas pela empresa em políticas que servirão de base para análises e tomada de decisões futuras, formalizando um ciclo virtuoso de estruturação e gestão do sistema de medição de desempenho para ambientes de produção enxuta. / The impacts caused in the manufacturing in companies that look for the implementation of techniques and tolls driven by lean manufacturing concept are not restricted to technical aspects. In order to achieve the dynamism required by this philosophy, the shop floor workers are empowered and they have to conduct corrective and improvement actions by themselves, what changes their roles from command executioners to decision makers. Therefore, it is necessary that, in addition to the authority, these operators have access to the information required to support their decisions adequately - this information must be up to date and related to the guidelines defined by the company. This dissertation proposes a model of performance measurement system that seeks to eliminate the gap identified among other similar proposals and the needs identified in real lean manufacturing environments. The model is based on bibliographical research in the technical literature and on case studies conducted in two companies recognized as successful in implementing lean manufacturing in their operations. It proposes a framework that incorporates the improvements developed in the company into a policy which will serve as basis for future analysis and decisions, i. e., it formalizes a virtuous circle for structuring and managing the performance measurement system for lean manufacturing environments.

El presente proyecto propone disminuir el stock de producto terminado y el IR empezando por los cinco productos VIP (electrodos revestidos convencionales); debido a que el stock promedio actual se encuentra en 350 ton mientras que la meta de la empresa es de 200 ton; asimismo, el IR actual es de 1.92 vueltas y se quiere llegar a un IR de 3 vueltas; generando así un impacto económico de $177,237 en promedio al cierre de cada mes en valor de inventarios. Para esto, se analiza los procesos de planeamiento y control de la producción y los estándares y políticas establecidas en la empresa. El desarrollo de este informe va de acuerdo a los planteamientos teóricos investigados en artículos de investigación publicados en revistas y libros por varios actores con experiencia en inventarios. Cabe mencionar que este proyecto se centra fundamentalmente en aplicar la metodología Lean Manufacturing usando la herramienta Kanban Pull System, puesto que se vio que la causa principal es que actualmente presenta una política de planeamiento en función a la capacidad de planta (Sistema “Push”). Por último, se validó la viabilidad de la propuesta de mejora mediante una propuesta de simulación, una propuesta teórica, comparación de indicadores y flujo económico. Del análisis anterior, se obtuvo que la Productividad aumentó de 286 a 301 kg/hh, la cantidad de operarios disminuyó de 117 a 90, la capacidad de planta disminuyó de 74 a 59 ton, y el periodo de recuperación de la inversión del proyecto es de 0.33 meses. / The present project proposes to reduce the stock of finished product and the IR starting with the five VIP products (conventional coated electrodes); because the current average stock is at 350 tons while the company's goal is 200 tons; likewise, the current IR is 1.92 laps and you want to reach an IR of 3 laps; thus generating an economic impact of $ 177,237 on average at the end of each month in value of inventories. For this, the processes of planning and control of production and the standards and policies established in the company are analyzed. The development of this report is in accordance with the theoretical approaches investigated in research articles published in journals and books by several actors with experience in inventories. It is worth mentioning that this project focuses mainly on applying the Lean Manufacturing methodology using the Kanban Pull System tool, since it was seen that the main cause is that it currently presents a planning policy based on plant capacity (Push System). Finally, the viability of the improvement proposal was validated through a simulation proposal, a theoretical proposal, comparison of indicators and economic flow. From the previous analysis, it was obtained that the Productivity increased from 286 to 301 kg / hh, the number of workers decreased from 117 to 90, plant capacity decreased from 74 to 59 tons, and the recovery period of the project investment is of 0.33 months. / Tesis

Cada vez mais presentes no ambiente industrial, as metodologias de melhoria contínua estruturam e sistematizam a implantação e a aplicação de técnicas, ferramentas e práticas de melhoria dos processos, que permitem reduzir o lead time, aumentar a satisfação do cliente, diminuir a variabilidade dos processos e elevar a qualidade do produto. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho é, com o auxílio de um framework teórico, estudar o uso de Lean Manufacturing e Six Sigma em um caso real pertencente ao parque industrial nacional. Dessa forma, optou-se por realizar um estudo de caso em uma empresa do ramo automobilístico, visto a relação do setor com a melhoria contínua. A companhia já utilizava as técnicas e ferramentas há mais de uma década e, além de mostrar a sua abordagem com relação à melhoria contínua de forma geral, apresentou dois casos para comparação das soluções encontradas para seu próprio aperfeiçoamento. Foi observado que a empresa encontra-se em um estágio intermediário-avançado dentro do framework construído e foi ressaltado que o Kaizen é a principal forma de melhoria usada. / Increasingly present in industrial environment, the continuous improvement methodologies structured and systematized the implementation and employment of techniques, tools and practices of process improvement, which allow reducing lead time, enhancing customer satisfaction, decreasing process variability and raising product quality. In this context, supported by a framework, what this study aims at is to review the use of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma in a real case belonging to the national industrial park. Hence, a case study was chosen in a company from the automotive industry, insofar as its relationship with continuous improvement. The company had already been using the techniques and tools for over a decade and it was provided an overview of its approach and, in addition, two cases to have their solution compared. It was observed that the company stands in an upper intermediate stage according to the developed framework and it was also highlighted that Kaizen is the main improvement means used.