Lean Operating Systems

An Operating System is one of the most misunderstood concepts in business today. When benchmarking companies we are constantly pointed toward a number of areas: to the IT department (business operating systems are not about computers), to Six Sigma or a list of lean tools, to the organizational structure, or even to the mission or vision statements. While each of these pieces can be important, they generally are just fragmented initiatives or activities tied to some business goals and objectives with little thought of coordinated and common action. This is not a system. Organizations usually have high agreement on what is critical to their success. It sets the direction. The secret however is to have high agreement and framework of how to operate and improve the business. An Operating System is the workhorse of the organization that facilitates coordinated and collective actions to exercise daily routines. It promotes consistent and constant learning and improvement throughout the entire organization.

An effective Operating System requires the integration of four vital elements:

• Principles--alignment in thinking to build culture-thinking drives behavior
• Systems-vital work process that integrate the way work gets done
• Tools-required to manifest and execute new approaches
• Evaluation-understanding where you are compared to where you want to go

The traditional benefits of an Operating System are there: improving profitability and quality, speed to delivery, shareholder value, and others. However, the process of building, implementing and sustaining an Operating System creates a number of unique benefits that distinguish an organization from the competition.

• Creates predictability and stability
• Reduces time and resources (waste) creating the how-to's
• Enabled coordinated action
• Provides a teachable and constant approach
• Offers scalability and portability

Toyota continually outperforms their competition in both total earnings and sustained earnings. WHY? Because of the Toyota Production System. They get it.

ADI has assisted more companies than anyone in the development and implementation of Operating Systems including: a major automotive manufacturer, automotive suppliers, public utilities, equipment manufacturers and even snack food companies. This experience, combined with our insatiable appetite to continually learn about Operating Systems, makes us uniquely qualified to help your organization define, develop and implement an Operating system. We can help you break out from the rest of the pack.