SMED

I spent significant time working on Lean Manufacturing based on the Toyota Production System (TPS). I also heard a lot about the Japanese way of life that are orderly, systematic and coordinated. I have personally experienced the massive positive impact of waste elimination based on the principles of Lean Manufacturing. Last December, finally, I had the opportunity to visit Japan. While there, I casually looked for signs of "TPS" in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. As I was on holiday and the objective was to see the beauty of the place, to taste the food and to experience the culture, it took me a while to identify the practices of TPS. Almost towards to end of the trip, I noticed this screen on the train. At first, it looked like any other display, but on closer look, it was more graphical (visual management). It showed me I was in car number 2. But, it also showed me when I get down where are the stairs and elevator. This information is essential because of the thousands of commuters in the train station, and it's hard to see where you are going. It prepares me (SMED) before I get down from the train. It tells me where to go when I get off the train. This preparation sign reminds me of the principles of Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED) proposed by Shigeo Shingo. In an oversimplified way to describe SMED, it is preparation. Shingo published a book called A Revolution in Manufacturing: The SMED System. It's worth a read as it helps you to look at things in a different light.