Glossary of Terms
Plain definitions of lean, quality and operational-excellence terms.
- A3
- A problem-solving and reporting discipline that structures an issue on a single (A3) page.
- Cp / Cpk
- Process capability indices that measure how well a process fits its tolerance limits.
- Gage R&R
- An MSA study assessing the repeatability and reproducibility of a measurement system.
- Gemba
- The real place where work happens; the principle that problems are understood on the floor, not at a desk.
- Heijunka
- A leveling method that smooths production in volume and mix to reduce fluctuation.
- Jidoka
- A lean principle that stops the line automatically on a defect, ensuring quality at the source.
- Kaizen
- A philosophy of small, continuous improvements that add up to big gains over time.
- Kanban
- A visual signal system that pulls production by demand, enabling the right quantity at the right time.
- Muda (Waste)
- Any activity that adds no value for the customer; the loss lean thinking aims to remove.
- OEE
- Overall Equipment Effectiveness; efficiency measured by Availability × Performance × Quality.
- Pareto (80/20)
- The principle that most effects come from a few causes; the basis of prioritization.
- PDCA
- Plan-Do-Check-Act; the core cycle of continuous improvement.
- Poka-Yoke
- A mistake-proofing method that makes errors physically or logically impossible.
- SMED
- Single-Minute Exchange of Die; a method to drastically cut changeover/setup time.
- SPC
- Statistical Process Control; monitoring and managing process variation with control charts.
- Takt Time
- The pace (time per unit) at which you must produce to meet customer demand.
- TPM
- Total Productive Maintenance; everyone owns equipment effectiveness by preventing breakdowns.
- VSM
- Value Stream Mapping; visualizing material and information flow end-to-end to find losses.
