Use and analyse the use of a range of Lean tools ( Engineering Essay

Use and analyse the use of a range of Lean tools ( Engineering Business ) - Essay Example Bicheno & Holweg (2008) distinguished between four types of flexibility, namely process flexibility, product flexibility, volume flexibility and labour flexibility. These are detailed in the table below. The organisation can then devise its strategy according to the type of flexibility desired. Some other tools are histograms, Pareto charts, cause and effect diagrams, flow charts and control charts. It is pertinent to point out that strictly; lean is not merely a set of tools. Individual tools are useful for specific purposes, but they are designed to be used together in such a way that increases overall efficiency. The combination and synchronisation of tools allows for a wide range of strategic options. The improvement in competitiveness is made possible by â€Å"an end-to-end value stream† (Bicheno & Holweg, 2008). It is therefore a complete system, which involves processing for enhancing value by reducing waste. Lean tools serve to be applied such that they improve specific and overall efficiency. Mistakes could be made at any time during ordering, but most of these tend to be the result of human errors. It is important to prevent mistakes, for example because it could lead to producing defective parts, giving the wrong service, and ultimately to customer dissatisfaction. Moreover, â€Å"mistakes in one area have consequences in all others† (Nicholas & Steyn, 2008: 485). The alternative could be to make inspections but this itself is not mistake proof, and it is also an inefficient method. Preventing mistakes could eliminate the possibility of failures, and thus producing wastes. This could in turn avoid time wasting and prevent unnecessary costs. Mistakes with an order can be prevented by implementing a safety mechanism at any stage of the ordering process where mistakes would be likely to occur. The Japanese term for making processes protected from mistakes is ‘poka yoke’ (ãÆ' Ã£â€š «Ã£Æ' ¨Ã£â€š ±), which

Human Resource Management - Management Approach to HRM Essay

Human Resource Management - Management Approach to HRM - Essay Example (Baird & Meshoulam, 1988). Historically there is a shift in the concepts and development of the field of human resource management over the period of time. What started as personnel management has now gradually transformed itself into the new realm of human resource management. The ideas of personnel management mainly seems to be contrasting with those of human resource management. The traditional view about the personnel management was of the view that the humans are only responsible for production and profits and personnel management largely envisioned the use of machines as manpower. Historically what is now considered as human resource management was something else. Over the period of time, related concepts and theories were known with different names and gradually transformed into HRM. HRM initially started with the name of Industrial Welfare. (Kaizelong, 2006). This was the first form of human resource management which was basically started with the advent of the labor unions. The initial focus was on the welfare of the factory labors. However it gradually evolved and culminated into the bigger concept of Personnel Management. The real focus on the personnel management started with the advent of industrial revolution where the need for qualified staff was badly felt especially due to the factor of division of labor. There exists a very subtle and minute element of distinction between human resources and personnel management. Both are considered as â€Å"process of getting things done through people†. (ACCEL TEAM, 2007). HRM now is considered as an inte grative approach in which a two-way linkage is assumed between the organizational strategy and individual needs of the employees on the other hand. The essence of HRM now is that the separate personnel actions are now consistently linked and integrated with the overall