Look Forward Beyond Lean and Six Sigma

Retail Price: $49.95

Direct Price: $44.95

A Self-Perpetuating Enterprise Improvement Method
By Robert Dirgo
Hardcover, 6 x 9, 240 pages
ISBN: 978-1-932159-46-2
October 2005
Institute of Aerospace Excellence

ISBN: 978-1-932159-46-2 Categories: , , ,

Description

This book introduces the Look Forward approach to continuous improvement (CI). Look Forward is a management approach to CI that fosters an environment that infuses CI into the very fabric of the organization. As a result, improvement is not an initiative or a project but rather a natural occurring event that is anticipated, expected and prevalent. Look Forward is not a substitute for Six Sigma, Lean or Theory of Constraints (TOC), but rather is a necessary complement to each of these in order to assure self-perpetuating improvement that is ingrained in the corporate culture. It, in turn, needs Six Sigma, Lean and TOC methodologies to be the fuel for the improvement engine that drives the company forward. Any business serious about improvement is going to consider Six Sigma, Lean and TOC in the overall scope of their operations and the unique benefits they bring to the table. This book shows that for unbeatable sustained improvement, Six Sigma, Lean and TOC need to be intertwined with the Look Forward methodology.

Key Features

  • Helps you build a foundation within your business that will support a robust improvement management method
  • Includes an overview of Lean, Six Sigma and Theory of Constraints and how they can be used together by management for constant improvement
  • Provides the mechanics of the day-to-day execution of a synergistic continuous improvement management method
  • Features several case study examples that you can use to relate to your company
  • Promotes a corporate culture that will foster on-going, perpetual improvement throughout the organization without the necessity of intervention

About the author(s)

Robert Dirgo has over twenty-five years experience working in the steel and aerospace industries. Mr. Dirgo is currently Manager of Process Quality Assurance at Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation (ABSC). As one of the overseers of the continuous improvement effort, he was also one of the original management members that developed the Look Forward management method in 1996. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, a Master’s degree in Statistics and has been certified by the American Society of Quality as a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, a Certified Quality Engineer and a Certified Quality Auditor.

Table of Contents

Look Forward – How to Manage the Business of Improvement
Your Industry Standard – A Framework for Look Forward Improvement
Six Sigma
Lean Manufacturing
Theory of Constraints
The Challenge of Maintaining Continuous Improvement
Look Forward – The ABSC Way
Look Forward Case Studies
Enterprise Level Improvement Initiatives
Conclusion
Bibliography
Glossary
Appendix
Index