Naughton Eileen, Moran Rachel, Kharub Manjeet, Sa Jose Carlos, McDermott Olivia
School of Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Management Technology Ghaziabad, Delhi, NCR, India.
Heliyon. 2024 Nov 1;10(21):e40034. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40034. eCollection 2024 Nov 15.
This research focuses on designing a clear methodology for problem-solving. It investigates the application of a defined 'Lean' methodology for the proactive application of process improvement activities using a phased digitized measurement and monitoring system. This case study in a Medtech organisation utilized the Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) model to develop a Lean system and structure to support managing the process improvement or project management element of a Continuous Improvement (CI) framework. The results from the pilot of this study delivered financial gains and demonstrated how a robust structure and methodology to measure improvement activity and success provided a strong, sustainable foundation for customer satisfaction, efficiency, cost reduction and employee engagement improvement. It also highlighted the importance of focusing on proactive process improvement as part of a CI framework. The study provides valuable insights into the effective implementation of Lean principles and process improvement via a sustainable model, thereby contributing to the body of knowledge in this field. This study demonstrated how the developed model supported process improvement activity underpinning the development of a wider continuous improvement culture to support Lean deployment and sustainment and that systems can drive behaviour. Additionally, this application in the healthcare manufacturing sector adds to the sparse application in the literature from this sector.
本研究着重于设计一种清晰的问题解决方法。它探讨了一种既定的“精益”方法在过程改进活动的主动应用中的应用，该方法使用分阶段的数字化测量和监控系统。这家医疗科技组织的案例研究运用了计划、执行、检查、行动（PDCA）模型来开发一个精益系统和架构，以支持管理持续改进（CI）框架中的过程改进或项目管理要素。该研究试点的结果带来了财务收益，并展示了一个强大的结构和方法如何衡量改进活动与成功，为客户满意度、效率、成本降低和员工敬业度提升提供了坚实、可持续的基础。它还强调了将主动的过程改进作为CI框架一部分的重要性。该研究通过一个可持续的模型，为精益原则和过程改进的有效实施提供了宝贵见解，从而为该领域的知识体系做出了贡献。这项研究展示了所开发的模型如何支持过程改进活动，为更广泛的持续改进文化的发展奠定基础，以支持精益部署和维持，并且系统能够推动行为。此外，在医疗保健制造业的这种应用在该领域的文献中较少见，丰富了相关内容。
