Course Catalog

This module establishes lean thinking as the foundation of any continuous improvement effort.  This module briefly introduces the five principles and four rules of lean, defines the differences between rules and principles and significance of both in establishing common thinking within an organization.

Number of modules: 1

Approximate run time: 5 minutes

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In this free presentation, the managing partner of Lean Learning Center, Bill Artzberger, explains the concept of “lean” and a few common characteristics of a lean organization.  Bill also introduces the four Lean Rules and five Lean Principles that form the bedrock of all lean initiatives.

Approximate run time: 5 minutes

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Provides a deep dive into the 5S tool to help establish a clean, organized, efficient and safe workplace. Through this course, learners will:

  • Identify key areas to implement the 5S process and establish effective communication strategies for the 5S implementation
  • Distinguish between essential and nonessential items
  • Organize the essential materials in the workplace
  • Plan and implement a cleaning regimen
  • Establish rules and procedures to support the ongoing efforts of “Sort”, “Set In Order” and “Shine”
  • Develop tools to measure 5S progress
  • Includes a short module on the “6th S”: Safety

Number of modules: 9

Approximate run time: 125 minutes

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This course takes a deep look Error Proofing as a structured and standardized method to proactively build standards into a system or process to prevent mistakes caused by humans, machines, and processes.  Through this course, learners will:

Explore the structure of the A3 Report
Identify benefits error proofing
Examine the three basic functions of error proofing devices
Identify common error proofing devices used in everyday life
Be able to recognize the type and function of those common error proofing devices

Number of Modules: 1

Approximate run time: 35 minutes

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This course introduces Lean Kata as a way to bridge the gap between episodic continuous improvement and everyday improvement.  We explain the two different kata, the improvement kata and the coaching kata, and highlight how these two processes lead to scientific thinking.

Number of modules: 3

Approximate run time: 50 minutes

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Recommended as the first course to complete, this course establishes lean thinking as the foundation of any continuous improvement effort. This course briefly introduces the five principles and four rules of lean, defines the differences between rules and principles and significance of both in establishing common thinking within an organization.

Why Lean Rules Rule:

Introduces the four rules of lean that provide the steady and reliable criteria for objectively evaluating processes to determine opportunities for improvement. Throughout this series, learners will acquire

  • An overview of structured activities and the criteria necessary for designing structured activities as well as an understanding of the impact that unstructured activities have on the completion of work
  • Recognition of the hundreds of customer-supplier relationships that exist both within the organization and outside the organization and the requirements for establishing clear connections to ensure consistent and reliable responses
  • An awareness of the flow paths that people, material and information follow for work completion and the impact that multiple flow paths have on the work results produced
  • A structured method for planning and testing experiments to improve work

Principles with a Pow!

Introduces the five principles of lean required to establish common thinking and guide the behaviors and actions displayed by those working within an organization. Throughout this module series, learners will acquire:

  • A common lens for conducting objective and factual observation of work processes to identify improvement opportunities
  • An understanding of the critical role of establishing high agreement to align the efforts of others in goal accomplishment
  • A common lens and language for identifying waste within work processes and communicating the presence of waste to others
  • An awareness of the difference between firefighting symptoms of problems and using a structured and systematic approach for permanently addressing the root cause of a problem
  • Recognition of the role that structured, daily learning plays in continuously moving an organization toward achieving its ideal state vision for performance and operations

Number of modules: 24

Approximate run time: 150 minutes

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Provides an overview of mapping techniques that can be utilized to document direct observation efforts and establish alignment on the current reality of a work process. Throughout this course, learners will:

  • Identify the top-down flow chart as an effective mapping technique for providing a high-level overview of a work process and define a structured process for building the Top-Down Flow Chart.
  • Identify the people who contribute to work completion, the activities completed by each, and the time committed to the completion of those activities through the Activity Map.
  • Be able to document the transformation of the product from components to completed product as it moves through the system using the Product-Process Map.

Number of modules: 5

Approximate run time: 80 minutes

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Provides a deep look at problem solving using the A3 Report as a structured and standardized method to support problem solving efforts within an organization. Through this course, learners will:

  • Explore the structure of the A3 Report
  • Identify benefits of A3 Report usage
  • Define criteria for writing effective problem statements
  • Define containment measures as a temporary measure to minimize problem impact on a work area
  • Analyze techniques for reaching the root cause of problems as an activity, connection or flow
  • Identify what is realistically achievable en route to the idea state
  • Brainstorm process improvements to achieve desired results
  • Determine progress of executed actions and improvements

Number of modules: 5

Approximate run time: 95 minutes

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This course is for Kettering University students only.    This Lean Learning Center certificate program is conducted in conjunction with Kettering University’s IME 476  class.

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Our Leading Lean course will help leaders move their organization through it’s lean journey.  This course will provide you with the skills to strategically grow knowledge and develop internal skills and resources to ensure that lean transitions from an organizational initiative to the ‘way we do business around here’.  This course consists of five lessons, and the learner should have a working knowledge of the Lean Rules and Principles and have completed either our Lean Foundations or The Lean Experience class.

Though this course, learners will:

  • Identify the impact of culture and cultural inhibitors on a lean transformation.
  • Be able to develop strategies for building a critical mass of lean change agents within your organization.
  • Be able to engage others and gain commitment for the lean journey more effectively up, down, and across the organizational chart.
  • Gain greater leverage and sustainability by employing daily coaching and delegating skills in support of lean principles and practices.
  • Establish an overall framework for the continuous evaluation and improvement of your own lean leadership capabilities.

Number of Modules: 5

Approximate run time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

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This course will examine the Lean Kaizen Improvement workshop.  Do you have a baseline knowledge of what lean is and want to get right to work with improving a process?  The Lean Kaizen Improvement Workshop will take you through the step-by-step process of an improvement Kaizen.  Through this course, learners will:

  • Identify the types of projects that are suited for an improvement Kaizen
  • Explore the 9-Step process of an Improvement Kaizen

Number of Modules: 1

Approximate run time: 1 hour, 15minutes

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This course will provide an overview of  the Lean Kaizen Transformation Roadmap. We will explore the four strategic pillars needed for a successful transformation and describe the characteristics within each of the 5 phases of the roadmap.

Number of Modules: 1

Approximate run time: 21 minutes

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This course is for Oakland University students only.    This Lean Learning Center certificate program is conducted in conjunction with Oakland University’s ISE 4484/ME 4710  class.

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This course takes a deep look at the Operating System as a tool to enhance high agreement of organizational goals, visions, and values as well as the tools and systems with which to support work functions within an organization.  Through this course, learners will:

  • Explore the definition and the critical factors of an Operating System
  • Identify benefits of using an Operating System
  • Explore how to use an Operating System

Number of Modules: 1

Approximate run time: 16 minutes

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This course takes a deep look at the RACI Chart as a structured planning tool to create high agreement on the roles and responsibilities of a project.  Through this course, learners will:

  • Explore the structure of the RACI Chart
  • Identify benefits of using a RACI Chart during the planning phase of a project
  • Explore the components and step in building a RACI Chart

Number of Modules: 1

Approximate run time: 25 minutes

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Provides an overview of the role of standard work instructions to support the completion of work. This course provides learners with:

  • The benefits of utilizing standard work instructions to promote consistency
  • A template structure for developing standard work instructions that include critical information for work completion

Number of modules: 1

Approximate run time: 40 minutes

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Presents the After Action Review as a structured and efficient methodology for reviewing any continuous improvement efforts, regardless of their size or complexity. This course focuses on the importance of promoting daily learning throughout an organization to move closer to the ideal state using a simple and easy structure.

Number of modules: 1

Approximate run time: 30 minutes

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This course takes a deep look at the SWOT Analysis as a structured and standardized method to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and the threats to an organization .  Through this course, learners will:

Explore the structure of the SWOT Analysis
Identify benefits of the SWOT Analysis
Review the steps of a SWOT Analysis
Identify the factors to consider when conducting a SWOT Analysis

Number of Modules: 1

Approximate run time: 25 minutes

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This course will provide an overview of  the Value Stream Mapping & Improvement process. Throughout this two part course course, we will be exploring how to examine and improve the flow of material and information throughout the organization. We will learn how to build and analyze a value stream using a unique methodology that will structure your improvement efforts.

Number of Modules: 2

Approximate run time: 60 minutes

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Provides an overview of visual management techniques and their ability to visually indicate abnormalities at-a-glance. Through this course, learners will:

  • Identify the difference between visual displays and controls
  • Explore different levels of visual displays and their everyday presence to align the actions and behaviors of others
  • Identify different levels of visual controls and their everyday presence to promote safety by preventing accidents and injuries

Number of modules: 4

Approximate run time: 80 minutes

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Provides an overview of the Waste Walk as a structured process for seeking out waste in processes. Through this course, learners will:

  • Analyze the product-process map to determine the presence of waste within work processes
  • Utilize a structure for identifying and documenting waste opportunities within work processes

Number of modules: 1

Approximate run time: 30 minutes

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Purchasing Courses for a Group?

Contact us to purchase courses for your whole group.

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Welcome to the Lean Learning Center Online Education System

The Lean Learning Center Online Education System provides a flexible mechanism to introduce lean thinking and foundational knowledge on a variety of lean concepts and tools that can be used to advance continuous improvement efforts. To review modules currently available as well as learning objectives, timing required for module completion and pricing, please scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the course title in which you are interested. You can also bookmark this page to return often.

Navigating the Online Education System

First Time Users:

  • To find the course(s) in which you are registered, click on “Your Courses” in the upper right-hand corner. This will take you to your profile page:
  • From the “Course Registrant Profile” page you can edit your profile and password as well as access your current courses.
  • To edit your password: Step 1, click on the “Edit Profile” link, then Step 2,  choose the “Account Details” menu option. There, you can update your address, view your orders and can change your password. You will be asked to type in your current password, followed by your new password.

Step 1:

Step 2:

  • To access your course: Click on the course name under your profile, which will take you to that course’s main page.

Returning Users:

  • To return to a course, click on “Your Courses” to bring up a list of currently registered courses. Then click on the course name that you want to resume. To view your completion rate and see what quizzes you have completed, you can click on the arrow icon next to the course name:

You can also navigate back to our main website by clicking on “Lean Learning Center Home Page” to learn more about our services, products and other educational opportunities.

Recommendations

  • For the optimum online experience, we recommend the following browsers:
    • Windows users: Internet Explorer 9/10/11, Microsoft Edge (latest) , or Google Chrome 34 (or latest)
    • Mac and iOS users: Safari 7.0.1 (or latest)
  • These courses were designed for individual purposes only. Using a projector is not advised and might cause technical difficulties.

Licensing

  • Published pricing is for module access for one person for a period of 30 days and includes a certificate of completion for the registered user.
  • Licensing is available for larger groups as an ongoing perpetual license of the entire training catalog or for a specific period of time.
  • Customized module and blended learning module access are also available for larger groups as an ongoing perpetual license or for a specific period of time.  Please call for further information.