What I love about SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Dies) is the simplicity of the concept and the transformative power it contains. True, the proper execution of this changeover improvement technique can be excruciatingly detailed, but what a difference it can make!
One aspect of the process involves the tools required to changeover a machine. Often the design of a machine would require the operator to use a handful of tools to exchange parts and adjust settings. We frequently made modifications to the equipment to reduce the number of tools needed or to eliminate them all together. I view this as creating the right solution for a better process to deliver an improved performance in changeovers.
I recently applied this principle to an individual's employment situation. She came to me seeking assistance in finding a new job. I learned she was under-employed: she had two part-time minimum wage jobs to support her family. She recently lost one of those jobs and she needed another immediately. During our review of her skills and background, I learned she once worked as a certified nursing assistant and she loved that type of work, but her licence had expired. We worked out a solution that removed her immediate need to find a second job which created the time she needed to get her licence renewed and to focus on a job search she could have more enthusiasm for. We created the right solution to provide a better process for finding one job that will improve performance in terms of providing for her family.
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