Mohiuddin G M

Lean and sigma are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they complement each other. The Six Sigma metric, based on data, aims to reduce defects/faults. Lean on the other hand, based on demand, aims to reduce waste and operations cost. Hence, focusing on the Sigma level metric would be an incomplete way of looking at the issue rather than being branded as inappropriate way of looking at things. The Lean Six Sigma methodology is a comprehensive approach to the issue.

Question: Shojinka or Flexible Staffing is an approach that is often utilized in Lean Management. What are the criteria that help us decide whether flexible staffing is suitable and must be pursued? Please explain with examples. Answer: Flexible staffing is an arrangement wherein each staff member is trained in multiple disciplines and acquires multiple skills to be able to undertake the function in that production area where the production volume is high. In other words, it is an arrangement wherein the staff members are adjusted depending upon demand requirements of the production area. The criteria to decide whether Shojinka is suitable are: At the individual level: 01: Whether the institution has effective training plans/programs to train each of the staff member in multiple skills and disciplines to enable him to undertake a function in any/all production areas. 02: Whether each staff member has the requisite adaptability and the resourcefulness to work in any of the production areas. At the team level: 01: Whether the team is capable of adjusting and accommodating the multi disciplinary and the multi skilled staff members to fulfill any role that is assigned to him/her. At the process level: 01: Whether each stage of the production/ process is sufficiently standardized to ensure that the staff member clearly knows what each job role entails and the job rotation can be done without impeding production. At the system level: 01: Whether the system is designed to operate in various configurations to meet the flexible staffing necessitated due to production volume. At the management level: 01: Whether the management has a clear understanding of the demand requirements and the necessary arrangements required to ensure that there is a balanced production volume and certain production areas do not fall behind. That each of the above considerations is important in deciding the suitability of Shojinka. but it is the collective consideration of the above factors which would be determinative.