Track Descriptions

Corporate Culture

Planning and implementation of Lean and Quality initiatives throughout the enterprise requires long-term management commitment, a dynamic strategic/business vision, and a significant investment in financial and people resources and training. Presentations in this track will address such topics as: business process reengineering, engineering the organization, strategic leadership, performance measures at the shop and key business measures, along with cultural barriers to implementation and how to use teamwork to enlighten management and associates alike. The use of project/program management, improvement applications of communications, and incentive and compensation plans supporting an initiative are also emphasized. 

Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is critical for organizations to remain viable. Based on the underlying premise that reducing variation will increase customer satisfaction and ultimately the bottom line, lean and six sigma are applicable to all types of businesses. These presentations share process improvement success stories in increasing effectiveness by reducing inefficiencies, eliminating waste, reducing variation, and improving on-target performance in a wide variety of applications and industries. Sub categories within this track include:

• Design
• Lean Tools
• Lean Services
• Quality Engineering
• Six Sigma
• Measurements

Methodologies & Case Studies

Presentations in this track will address a variety of methods, techniques, and management structures utilized in achieving operational excellence along with the presentation of financial, quality and other results achieved. These could be substantial cost reductions, enhanced customer service, increased sigma level, increased efficiency, or increased profitability. Case studies in lean and quality will also demonstrate how companies successfully implement multiple tools in a synergistic manner for holistic optimization of an enterprise. Cases demonstrating the application of the operational excellence philosophy within the enterprise and throughout the supply chain will be presented.

Quality & Systems Management

Quality & Systems Management is that aspect of the overall management function that determines and implements the policies and procedures necessary to improve and control the various processes that will ultimately lead to improved business performance. It is a broad spectrum encompassing both quality assurance and system improvement for developing and implementing management systems for operational excellence. These presentations describe how organizations have developed and implemented management systems for operational excellence that comply with recognized lean and quality systems standards utilizing a variety of methodologies and techniques.

Customer Value

In the continuous pursuit of operational excellence, the primary focus must remain to address and satisfy customer need. In today's fast paced market, continuously gathering the voice of the customer and, in turn, supplying products and services can be a challenge. This track will explore what it means to address customer value, techniques to successfully identify the customer, incorporate the voice of the customer, and prioritize requirements to improve customer satisfaction throughout the supply chain.

Lean & Quality

Lean and Quality experts and practitioners will demonstrate their success stories through a range of insights and principles that have enabled them to achieve operational excellence and run healthy core businesses in a spectrum of industries. The experts will deliver a wealth of insights including value stream mapping in the manufacturing and office environment, applying quality principles, meeting logistics challenges, implementing quality systems, and establishing relationships with suppliers. The purpose of this track is to share lessons learned in the Lean and Quality deployment through identified best practices, communication, common goals, and strategic implementation tools.

Potpourri

This track highlights a virtual cornucopia of subjects and applications that you can take back to your company. You will absorb practical information in these sessions that are a diverse mixture of Lean processes and Quality techniques that drive operational excellence.

Vendor Presentations

These presentations will discuss project pitfalls and how to avoid them, demonstrations that offer cost-saving opportunities and solutions for working smarter with clear measures of accountability. Learn how to use new technology that you can take back to your organization.

Benchmarking

These sessions explore achieving operational excellence through benchmarking. As an improvement tool, benchmarking enables organizations to measure their performance against competitors, determine means to achieve performance levels, and promote continuous improvement. These sessions will begin with a panel discussion on a particular aspect of operational excellence and then open up for questions from participants for the panel. Benchmarking Sessions will be included as part of the Senior Leadership and Environmental Tracks.

Industry Specific

This track highlights different industries including aerospace, healthcare, retail, and automotive. In this track the presenters explore the application of tools and methodologies to achieve operational excellence in different types of environments. The goal is to share a few lessons learned in operational excellence deployment through identified best practices, communication, common goals, and strategic implementation tools. This track shares case studies of improvement applications in various industries.

Going Green – Environment Aspects

An organization cannot achieve operational excellence on quality, lean, efficiency, and profitability alone. It is the responsibility of organizations to conduct their business reliably and effectively. The health and safety of the environment must be considered. To truly achieve operational excellence, organizations must achieve quality, lean, efficiency, and profitability through ethical management with a priority on the environment. A benchmarking workshop is featured at the end of this track.

Senior Leadership

Leadership is critical for achieving results in operational excellence with high ethical standards. Leaders direct the core values of the organization and shape the strategic direction. Senior leadership must communicate the organizational vision and objectives for successful deployment of the strategy. A benchmarking workshop is featured at the end of this track.