Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methods and tools present special challenges for trainers and educators. It is difficult to teach process improvement without a set of processes as context. Lean techniques are not always intuitive, so simply explaining them does not give students the necessary insight. Lean techniques are applicable to any process, but the details matter – production, service, engineering, and health-care processes all demand different approaches and tool sets. The tools are easy to use ineffectively or even counter-productively, so poor training can have serious adverse effects on process improvement efforts. MDC responds to this challenge with a creative blend of traditional and active-learning exercises, immersive table-top simulations demanding both analysis of real processes and teamwork, and real process expertise in a wide variety of fields. We have many solutions ready for immediate deployment; we are also ready to help you create training designed for your unique processes.
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Lean Enterprise Solutions
Custom Solutions
MDC has years of experience applying lean outside the traditional factory setting: • Unique six-sigma blackbelt training for a large US aerospace corporation • Training to familiarize engineers with the fundamentals of lean • Lean seminars for healthcare and other corporate leaders and managers • Creating educational and training curriculum and simulations • Authoring papers on the application of lean in a number of innovative areas • Tools for value stream mapping and transformation of engineering processes • Facilitating the setting of goals and visions and the creation of value stream maps and improvement plans at a variety of industry, government, and academic sites Much knowledge is transferable, but every problem is different. Let MDC put our experience to work for you!
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Lean Training
Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methods and tools present special challenges for trainers and educators. It is difficult to teach process improvement without a set of processes as context. Lean techniques are not always intuitive, so simply explaining them does not give students the necessary insight. Lean techniques are applicable to any process, but the details matter – production, service, engineering, and health-care processes all demand different approaches and tool sets. The tools are easy to use ineffectively or even counter-productively, so poor training can have serious adverse effects on process improvement efforts. MDC responds to this challenge with a creative blend of traditional and active-learning exercises, immersive table-top simulations demanding both analysis of real processes and teamwork, and real process expertise in a wide variety of fields. We have many solutions ready for immediate deployment; we are also ready to help you create training designed for your unique processes.
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Lean Enterprise Value Simulation
The Lean Enterprise Value (LEV) simulation is a unique tool for the training of lean techniques. It is a complete, flexible simulation of a complex enterprise, which allows interactive, hands-on lessons in lean improvement. Each participant is in charge of a facility: an assembly plant, subcontractor fabricating plant, product development department or service and support organization. Each facility is represented by a simple set of rules and actions. The facilities may be upgraded; more importantly, the organization, work share, and work flow between the facilities can be altered to create an overall lean enterprise. A sophisticated economic system creates both the metrics necessary for improvement, as well as a "paperwork" burden that must also be reduced through lean methods. LEV modules can be customized or newly created to meet your demands. An outpatient clinic module was recently created to meet a client need for lean training for healthcare personnel.
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Short Courses
• The LAI Lean Academy
• One or two day courses in the application of lean to engineering and product development, including tools and techniques to deal with uncertainties, variations, and risks associated with these processes
• One to three day courses in lean healthcare processes, again featuring special consideration of the variation and uncertainty of the processes, and the varying needs of the stakeholders
• Courses for managers, executives and change leaders on the challenges of applying lean across complex enterprises
Arrangements can be made for these courses to be given on-site at reasonable rates.
Open-enrollment classes are delivered via various professional development organizations. -
Custom Training
MDC personnel have over 10 years of experience creating training materials for short courses, corporate training programs, and academic courses. Subjects have included all aspects of the application of lean, six-sigma, and other continuous improvement methods; trade space exploration and other advanced product development methods, and engineering methods such as advanced composite material durability. The training has been designed using state-of-the-art, student-centric methods, focused on skilled adult learners whose time should not be wasted. Active learning exercises, simulations (including but not limited to the LEV simulations), and quick feedback and assessment techniques are used to assure that the training is engaging, enjoyable, and most importantly, effective. Our creative team welcomes new challenges in any area where complex knowledge needs to be presented in minimum time for maximum impact.
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Lean Academy
Metis Design, in collaboration with the Lean Advancement Initiative (LAI) at MIT, administers the LAI Educational Network (EdNet). This network takes the knowledge created by MIT and associated researchers and creates practical applications, including university level curricula, training, tools, and documentation of current best practices. Some of the products of this collaboration include the LAI Lean Academy, a set of teaching materials that can be given as either a three-five day intensive course or a semester-long university course; the Lean Enterprise Value (LEV) Simulation, a powerful modular table-top simulation, which serves as the core for customized active learning experiences, from basic courses to advanced "black-belt" training, and a number of other products. Metis Design personnel also support LAI in helping LAI member companies with planning and transformation events, using proprietary LAI tools and techniques.
