Eliminating waste with a focus on value for the customer results in improved quality, safety, efficiency and customer / staff satisfaction.
One way of clarifying waste is by categorising them like this (TRIM WOOD):
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Transportation
- Resource
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Inventory
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Motion
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Waiting
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Over-production
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Over–processing
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Defects
WASTE WALK TEMPLATE – for improving and eliminating waste
TYPE OF WASTE |
Example of this waste in yourwork/home environment |
1. TransportationUnnecessary transferring, picking-up, setting down or movement of customer/patient/information/itemsExampleWhen customer/patient information/items get handled by too many staff without adding value |
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2. ResourceUnderutilisation of resources – physical and peopleExampleManagers not listening to issues raised by the staff or not getting them involved in improvement work |
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3. InventoryMaintaining unnecessary amounts of people, items or information. Having more on hand than what is needed and usedExampleExcessive stock in store rooms not being used; customers waiting in a queue |
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4. MotionUnnecessary movement of staff or that is done too slowly or quicklyExampleStaff walking to other end of department / building to pick up equipment or paperwork |
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5. WaitingPeople waiting for things or information to arrive or services waiting on people to arriveExampleService users waiting for appointments, visits, procedures |
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6. Over-ProcessingActivities which are over-prepared, over-handled, duplicated, don’t add value but add costExampleAsking service users for details several times, emails – reply to all, chasing up information / appointments |
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7. OverproductionTo produce a quantity that exceeds the need or demandExampleDuplicating recording of information, multiple forms / leaflets same information |
Templates and visualisations:
See also: