Lean engineering education: DNA for change

The Lean Engineering Education (LEE) model is advocated by the authors of a book in press, Lean Engineering Education: DNA for Change (Flumerfelt, et al., 2014) as a methodology to allow for students’ parallel content and competency development, based on the double helix DNA image (Figure 1). This LEE methodology targets the shortcomings in the professional development of engineering students as evidenced in several data sets, such as the ASME’s Vision2030 survey results (2010, 2011). (...

The Lean Production multidisciplinary: from operations to education

Lean Engineering (LE) had its roots in Toyota automobile production where the main objective is to standardize operations, so that wastes in the production processes can be identified and eliminated. Pursuing standardization in a systematically and continuous way, companies enter a continuous improvement mode of operation where input from all affected parties across the value stream is sought; this requires personnel on all levels of the organization to be prepared to be active learners. As LE has exceeded its original focus and application in the automotive industry, it has transformed manufacturing industries as well as service providers, including travel agents, health care, and many others. Yet, although engineers and non-engineers alike rely on LE principles and tools almost daily, LE has not yet transforme d Engineering Education. In this paper, the authors review their concept of Lean Engineering Education which they have based on the three-step of ethics, system-thinking and sustainability. The paper concludes with recommendations for curriculum innovations to improve engineering students’ competencies.National Funds - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under Project Pest-OE/EME/UI0252/2011

Lean Engineering Education : bridging-the-gap between academy and industry

This paper presents Lean Engineering Education (LEE) as an curricular innovation in the Engineering courses. It provides a discussion, mainly based on literature and informal dialogues, about the disconnected world of academy and industry and the demands for new educational methods and strategies. Additionally, it defines LEE as also the principles inherent to this and describes how LEE addresses two complex challenges faced by Higher Education Institutions: the globalized marketplace and the right skills from industry perspective for engineering graduates

The development of an assessment model for determining the level of total quality management (TQM) adoption in large Philippine manufacturing companies: An exploratory study

This research is a study of Total Quality Management (TQM) diagnostics focused on the identification and quantification of the key indicators of TQM.Through concept mapping, TQM factors were derived which formed the basis for designing and developing TQM indicators with the end-in-view of characterizing TQM systems contained within organizational systems. Utilizing the results, a survey questionnaire of quantitative measures was formulated and, subsequently, administered across 40 domestic manufacturing companies from various industries with a capitalization of at least PhP 50 million. The latent statistical relationships among the variables were explained from which a long list of 28 validated key indicators was reduced to 18 variables using Principal Components Analysis and Multi-collinearity Analysis. Through Multiple Linear Regression, the model structure of the relevant indicators characterizing the level of TQM adoption was established. The resulting regression equation presents a classification model which confirms that the Level of TQM adoption is affected by the various indicators identified from the literature. The levels of TQM adoption among the respondent organizations, categorized into four clusters to represent the existing levels of adoption of large Philippine manufacturing companies, were found to be distinct and well-discriminated from each other. Multi-axial graphs of the various cases, with the axes representing scores on each factor, show that while there are striking similarities across the sample companies, there are subtle differences that separate companies from one another. From a reduced set of 18 variables, 4 relevant indicators surfaced as predictor variables for determining the level of Total Quality Management Adoption for sample companies, namely: Approach of Strategic Quality Planning Process (ASQP), Percentage of customer complaints addressed (COMSOLV), Percentage of Employees who have attended TQM-related training programs (TRAIN), and Who are involved in Continuous Improvement programs/projects (WINVOLPS).The level of TQM Adoption was deemed higher in companies with higher values for the indicators ASQP, COMSOLV, and TRAIN it is lower in those with higher values of WINVOLPS. Higher levels of TQM Adoption are associated with companies having a more proactive ASQP, higher COMSOLV, and more people in the organization that are trained in TRAIN. Finally, as the Problem Solving Process reaches the lowest level in the organization, the higher is the cluster grouping. The linkages that surfaced among the TQM attributes show that Top Management Leadership drives Human Resource Empowerment and Process Vitality. Human Resource Empowerment impacts Continuous Improvement which is linked with Process Vitality. Process Vitality is in turn related with Customer Focus. However, the attribute that significantly differentiates companies from one another is Responsiveness of Customer Needs, which can be gauged by COMSOLV.This exploratory work on large-scale companies highlights the possibility of organizing benchmarking efforts through quantifiable measures for continuously improving the competitive advantages of companies

Lean education in a university in the Philippines

The De La Salle University is one of the forerunners in the introduction of Lean Manufacturing in the Philippines. The course is taught in alignment with the University’s graduate attributes, the Commission on Higher Education’s program educational objectives and the course’s required student outcomes. It is learner centered and uses project-based experiential learning. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2017

Development of a composite lean index to measure lean implementation in Philippine manufacturing companies

Lean manufacturing has been gaining worldwide popularity as a means of reducing waste, improving quality, and increasing the competitiveness of manufacturing firms. This paper aims to develop a composite lean index (CLI) which can be used to measure the degree of lean adoption in Philippine manufacturing companies. The lean index employs actual quantitative data, rather than subjective assessment, which is more prevalent in the literature. Fifteen performance indicators divided into process and equipment, manufacturing planning and control, human resources, and supplier and customer relationships are proposed and then validated using empirical data. Results showed that a CLI, which yields a single value from 0 to 1, can be computed from the 15 metrics formulated using multi-attribute value theory. Manufacturing companies can utilize this index for monitoring progress of lean implementation through the years as well as for benchmarking purposes with other firms. On the other hand, academicians can benefit from this index since most statistical analyses in researches require numerical values as inputs. © 2018 by De La Salle University

Are agile and lean manufacturing systems employing sustainability, complexity and organizational learning?

Purpose: This paper aims to peruse theories and practices of agile and lean manufacturing systems to determine whether they employ sustainability, complexity and organizational learning. Design/methodology/approach: The critical review of the comparative operational similarities and difference of the two systems was conducted while the new views and issues of emerging vital scenarios were analyzed in detail. Findings: In spite of their differences, the two systems of agile and lean manufacturing can co-exist in one system. The concepts of sustainability, complexity and organizational learning for agile and lean systems highlight outputs of differences in the output of operationalization but there can be substantial alignment in the input of intentions. The two excel at the three areas of consideration. Practical implications: The organizations of today must consider the applicability of designing both agile and lean systems within one organization for the purposes of achieving fast response time, high levels of productivity and better efficiency. Originality/value: The paper defines the relationship between agile and lean systems. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Lean engineering for global development

This edited book discusses lean production as a suitable platform for global development by developing systems and products in a quicker, costless and sustainable way and educate people for a lean consumption. Lean thinking principles are totally and synergistically aligned with a lot of disciplines and current issues such as logistic, supply chain, construction, healthcare, ergonomics, education, project management, leadership, coaching, startup, product development, farming and sustainable development. Lean-Green is particularly related to this last issue, sustainable development, the first global challenge for humanity that are totally connected to all remaining 14 global challenges because they are interdependent. Attaining these challenges could bring solutions for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Lean Production and Consumption have an important role in providing these solutions, by systematically reducing wastes in all activities performed, and at the same time, instruct people in having a lean consumption. The target audience primarily comprises research experts in lean management, but the book may also be beneficial for practitioners alike.- (undefined

Exploring the potential of PPP in Philippine irrigation

© 2018 by De La Salle University. Irrigation systems in many Asian countries including the Philippines remain heavily dependent on public funds and are mostly unsustainable. Systematic degradation due to poor and inadequate management, maintenance and operation, and limited public funding calls for a new approach. Governments have implemented participatory irrigation management, which evolved into an irrigation management transfer (IMT). While progress has been slow, the IMT appear to present some improvements in the irrigation sector. However, the lack of incentives and motivation for irrigators associations (IAs) to become autonomous and irrigation agencies’ unwillingness to let go further slows the growth of the irrigation sector. For the irrigation sector to grow fast and to provide the right incentives and policy environment for both farmers and IAs in the Philippines, the next logical step to take is a public-private partnership (PPP) between the responsible public agency and IAs. This paper explores the potential of establishing a PPP by empowering existing IAs beyond the IMT to become viable and sustainable private companies. This paper proposes four financial options for the irrigators associations-irrigation service management company (IAs-ISMC) to become more independent from public subsidies. These financial options are defined, which include doing community work beyond the PPP contracts to generate additional funds to the irrigation service fees (ISF). Necessary policy measures and institutional arrangements are proposed to enable the establishment of a start-up private company