Calcs and Assumptions

Never underestimate the value of doing a little analysis. I say a little because a limited amount of calculation puts you a surprisingly long way ahead of those that don't, or can't be bothered. And I say a little because if you think carefully about what to calculate it limits what you have to do, to just what is important.

And remember the assumptions you make. Write them down, let people know. Often the thinking that sets the assumptions is more important than the calcs. They set out the quality of your thinking, they prompt a debate.

So:
Decide what it's important to calculate
Think about what assumptions to make and write them down
Do the simple calcs and draw the conclusions.

Applying Flow to NPD

Donald Reinertsen has written a very good book looking at the application of Lean techniques and Flow to the world of New Product development. He also applies his experience of network design problems to consider how inherently variable NPD can benefit from the experience of unpredictable web and phone traffic. There are lots of principles and a useful cost model. Major lessons are to manage queues and understand the cost of delays and not worry too much about utilisation while reducing the batch sizes of work.
When I have some time I'll list out the key interventions his principles propose for our industry. I can recommend his book.

CIA Phoenix Question list

As some of you may have seen from one of my recent Tweets, a Question checklist by the CIA has been revealed. http://bbh-labs.com/tag/phoenix-checklist. I can't vouch for the source of the checklist, but it does make interesting reading whether you consider it from the point of view of your own work, or pretend that you are trying to flush out a double agent.

Of course if that is your work, I'm surprised that you are reading this blog!

Questions include:

• Can you restate your problem? How many different ways can you restate it? More general? More specific?
• Can the rules be changed?
  

And then as a bonus there is a list of questions that help you plan (always a favourite topic of mine). They include:

• What do you need to do at this time?
• Who will be responsible for what?
• Can you use this problem to solve some other problem?
  

Read the list and enjoy. Remember to add some Kudos when solving the next problem with your team. "Hey guys, it's time to use the CIA's checklist"

GSK Brings some manufacturing into Scotland from India

Some good news for the UK Pharma industry this week, with GSK announcing that it is bringing back some Manufacturing from India and putting it into their Montrose Site in Scotland. Click on the title to see an article about it on Fierce Pharma.

Gemba walks

Gemba Walks by James Womack (Available from Amazon) is an edited and slightly revised collection of his generally excellent Lean e-Letters.

Of particular interest to me is the emphasis that he places on the importance of Purpose. Why are you pursuing Lean? This is an excellent question that stops wild lean activity (e.g. the number of workshops completed) or "Islands of Lean" (Why didn't it make a difference to the customer?). Those that have worked with me on change in Manufacturing and Supply Chain will know that asking why and establishing Purpose is high on my agenda. This was heightened by the work that I have done with McCourts and Roy Sallabank in particular.

A number of clients and others have embarked on Lean transformations without properly answering the question of why and establishing purpose. It takes a brave "belted" expert to ask a VP why are we doing this, but believe me, the largest waste of value is frequently that spent on carrying out a Purposeless Lean programme.

I would recommend Gemba Walks, even if you just read the first few pages!

A welsh 2010

2010 has seen me spend the majority of the year at Penn Pharmaceuticals, an SME with about 280 lovely people. Along with all of the normal challenges we faced and worked our way successfully through both FDA and MHRA scheduled audits. I was appointed Interim Chief Operating Officer, and also had the enjoyable task of finding my successor, David Cooper, who I wish every success.

Penn is a complex site near Tredegar and holds all of the MHRA Licenses. Providing a Contract Development and Manufacturing Service to companies around the world, I recommend a visit to its website (click on the title above).

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