Operational Effectiveness Practice
Affero implements a range of highly effective business strategies that identify and eliminate non-value activity in workplace process; transform workplace cultures and lead to significant, measurable improvements.
While we base our approach on Lean Continuous Improvement, including Toyota Production System, we integrate a range of methodologies and tools to maximise outcomes.
Lean is the name first coined by James Womack to describe the impressive results Toyota factories were achieving by designing out overburdening and inconsistency, and eliminating waste,
Lean is a never-ending activity that involves the relentless elimination of activities and practices that are non value adding. Lean principles work by specifying and identifying value from a customer’s perspective.
Six Sigma is another continuous improvement methodology that seeks to improve the quality of a business, through identifying and removing defects. Lean Six Sigma combines the two, relying on collaboration to systematically remove waste and downtime, while identifying non-utilised talent or value.
Skills levels for Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma are identified through a belt system, similar to karate, with starting with white belts, and going through to black and master black belts.
Kaizen is a Sino-Japanese word that means “change for better”. By improving standardised activities and processes, taken in a business sense, kaizen principles involve a continuous philosophy of improvement. When applied correctly, the principles of kaizen humanises the workplace, eliminating overwork, by teaching people how to eliminate waste in their own practices.