by Ken Snyder   “Assure Quality at the Source” is a principle in the Continuous Improvement dimension of the Shingo Model. Perfect quality can only be achieved when every element of work is done right the first time. If an error should occur, it must be detected and corrected at the point and time of […]

The Shingo Institute is publishing a series of books to support the Shingo workshops. The first book “Discover Excellence” was published in 2018 and we are delighted to announce that the second book in the series “Enterprise Alignment and Results ” will be available in early 2019 .  The book was edited by Chris Butterworth*. […]

by Ken Snyder “Focus on the Process” is a principle in the Continuous Improvement dimension of the Shingo Model. This principle holds the distinction of being the only principle about which no one has suggested an improvement. This is a sign of what we have witnessed numerous times – it is a principle that is […]

Ken Snyder “Flow and Pull Value” is a principle in the Continuous Improvement dimension of the Shingo Model. This principle seems to be the most difficult for students of the Model to understand. The confusion experienced in learning this principle has caused us deep reflection on how we might better explain and teach this principle.

by Norbert Majerus When I talk at conferences about leading a lean transformation, I like to ask the audience for the most important metrics they track in their organizations. I write down their answers, which range from lead time to cost to inventory. Then I ask: “What is the most difficult part in your transformation […]

  This year’s Japan Study Tour was based mostly in the Tokyo/Yokohama area with one trip by bullet train up to the Sendai area. After a delicious and authentic sushi lunch, the group visited the Meiji Shrine and the Imperial Palace. The first two days of the tour were spent in the classroom discussing the […]

It’s common for people who use the Shingo Model™ as a standard of excellence to talk about their organization’s “Shingo Journey” much like you hear people talk about the Lean journey. They’re talking, of course, about the evolution of their organizations toward the use of the principles prescribed by the Shingo Model. However, until now […]

by Ken Snyder “Think Systemically” is a principle in the Enterprise Alignment dimension of the Shingo Model. Through understanding the relationships and interconnectedness within a system we are able to make better decisions and improvements. This principle is largely based on the pioneering work of Russ Ackoff and Peter Senge. An example of thinking systemically […]

by Ken Snyder “Create Constancy of Purpose” is a principle in the Enterprise Alignment dimension of the Shingo Model™. When we developed the Shingo Model, we borrowed heavily from the best thinkers who have influenced the operational excellence movement. In the case of this principle, we borrowed the wording from Dr. W. Edwards Deming. This […]

by Ken Snyder “Create Value for the Customer” is one of the Shingo Guiding Principles in the Results dimension of the Shingo Model™. In the current Model, it is the only principle in this dimension. Within the Shingo Model, our working definition of this principle is: