Lean Enterprise Certificate Program

8-day program beginning October 6, 2008. Washington Manufacturing Services\' Lean Enterprise Certification Program trains participants on the elements of the Lean Enterprise that, when implemented, can transform a company. Manufacturers that implement Lean experience dramatic improvements in the areas of productivity, space, quality and lead-time. Over eight days spanning eight weeks, students will participate in a combination of training and practical application in preparation for the nationally-recognized Lean Certification examination. The examination will be given on the last day of the class. The program begins with the Principles of Lean Manufacturing with Live Simulation (Lean 101). This introductory seminar combines classroom discussion and live simulation to demonstrate the principles of Lean Manufacturing. Lean 101 or equivalent, or basic Lean knowledge, is a prerequisite for the remaining courses in the program. Certification Program Curriculum Value Stream Mapping During this portion, students will learn the common language of Lean as they draw the current state map for a company, analyze that current state, find the non value-added activities, and draw a future state map that eliminates those activities. 5S Visual Workplace This section looks at the visual factory. Visual devices are powerful solutions for working smarter, not harder, and can dramatically improve quality, on-time delivery, lead-time and employee morale. Setup Reduction In this part, students will learn a systematic, low-cost, shop-proven method that has reduced setup and turnaround time in all types of manufacturing environments. Cellular Flow Cellular Flow is the linking of manual and machine operations into the most efficient combination of resources to maximize value-added content while minimizing waste. Pull Systems Pull Systems are kanbans that control the flow of resources in a production process by replacing only what has been consumed. Team Problem Solving and Total Productive Maintenance Students will learn problem solving tools and techniques to be applied when working as a team. TPM is a strategy to maximize the productivity of your equipment over its entire life while reducing downtime, improving quality and increasing capacity. Instruction and Application In addition to four days of classroom instruction, students will participate in three days of practical application. During this time, participants will apply the lessons learned in the classroom to real-life manufacturing situations. Nationally Recognized Certification At the conclusion of the program, students will take a Lean Enterprise Certification Exam certified by the Association for Manufacturing Excellence, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing.