Standardized Improvement Supply Location: Keep Workspace Improvement Supplies Together
Keep the supplies for small workspace improvements in one known place so teams can reuse the same kit instead of starting from scratch.
- Creator
American Precision Engineering- Company
- American Precision Engineering
- Wastes
Workspace improvement supplies can become scattered, duplicated, or unknown. When people have an improvement idea, they may wait, search, or improvise with nonstandard materials.
The team added one standardized location that holds the things they need for making improvements to the workspace. It is in the same area as the morning meeting board, display screen, presentation software, and inspection plate, where improvement activity is discussed.
Make improvement resources visible and reusable.
What is a Standardized Improvement Supply Location?
A standardized improvement supply location is a fixed place for the materials and tools a team commonly uses to improve its workspace. The transcript describes it as having all the things needed for making improvements in a standardized location.
The key idea is not a special cabinet or container. The key idea is that the team has agreed where improvement supplies belong, what people should use, and where to return or restock them.
In the source area, the supply location is near the morning meeting board and display screen used for presentations. That connects daily improvement discussion with the resources needed to act on those ideas.
Why it works
A shared improvement supply location turns a common improvement setup into reusable knowledge instead of making each person solve it again.
- It makes the proven supply set visible, so people know what to use for workspace improvements.
- It adds value by helping improvement ideas move from discussion to action without extra searching or guessing.
- It mistake proofs the process because missing or nonstandard supplies are easier to see when everything has one expected location.
- It reduces duplicate inventory because the team can see what improvement supplies are already available.
Evidence: The speaker says, "We're always doing improvements" and explains that they added a standardized location with all the things needed for making improvements to the workspace.
How to create this idea
- 1List repeated needs
Write down the supplies people repeatedly use for small workspace improvements. Do not include items that are rarely used or belong to one specialty job.
- 2Choose one location
Pick one visible, easy to remember location. If possible, place it near the meeting board or huddle area where improvement ideas are discussed.
- 3Set the standard
Define what belongs in the location and what does not. Use labels or a posted list so anyone can tell if the station is complete.
- 4Make gaps visible
Arrange the supplies so missing items are obvious. This helps people restock before the next improvement is delayed.
- 5Review and adjust
Use team meetings to check whether the supply set still matches the improvements people are making. Change the standard only when the team learns a better one.
Best used when
- frequent improvements
- shared workspaces
- daily meetings
- 5S activity
- common supplies
Less useful when
- one time projects
- rare specialty tools
- restricted supplies
- no shared area
Products and tools mentioned
- display screen: Used for presentations in the morning meeting area near the improvement supply location.
- inspection plate: Located in the same work area described before the standardized improvement supply location.
- meeting board: Used in the same area for the morning meeting where improvement work is discussed.
- presentation software: Used for PowerPoint type presentations during the morning meeting.
- welding cell: Mentioned as the next production area on the tour after the improvement supply location.
Tags
- Problem
- scattered supplieswaitingexcess inventory
- Lean methods
- 5Sstandardizationvisual managementmistake proofingknowledge reuse
- Application
- workspacedaily meetingshop floor
Captured from American Precision Engineering at American Precision Engineering in the video "Tour of APE's lean shop", at 00:11:39. On Lean Toolbox. Watch the original video on YouTube ↗
