Workshops

Workshops

Are you interested in taking a class or learning more about our offerings? Please read below for descriptions of the classes. EVLA workshops and events are open free for designated participants from our member organizations. If you are interested in attending a class and are not a member the fee is $125.

For a printable calendar of classes please download the 2023 Training Poster.

To browse upcoming classes and events, visit our Events Page.

Questions about meetings and courses, please use our contact form.

Lean Core Training

Principles of Lean

Introduction to Lean Principles

A lean facility produces just what is needed, when it is needed with no additional staff, costs or time. Waste is not easy to see, so it’s harder to find! Learn the skills necessary to apply Lean techniques to reduce waste and improve process efficiency. Gain a practical understanding of Lean continuous improvement techniques and how to reduce paperwork, errors, and processing time.

In this course participants will learn:

  • How to start the Lean journey
  • An introduction to initiatives like value stream mapping, Kaizen, standard work, continuous flow, and 5S.
  • How mistake-proofing can help your facility operate more efficiently.

Prerequisite: None.

5s & Visual Management

Visual Management is the use of visual and other sensory communication and control tools in an operation or process to reduce waste. This workshop will provide an introduction to Visual Management and present many of its practical applications such as:

  • Establishing a common communication “language” in a work area,
  • Providing “at a glance” management of work area,
  • Facilitating teamwork, dignity and self-esteem,
  • Focusing the workgroup on:
    • Urgent and important problems
    • Goals and Objectives
    • Continuous Improvement
    • Providing tools for the elimination of waste

5S is a technique that results in a workplace that is clean, uncluttered, safe and well organized. The 5S pillars, Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain, provide a methodology for organizing, cleaning, developing, and sustaining a productive work environment.

A 5S environment has “a place for everything and everything in its place,” with all office tools and materials ready where and when they are needed. Learn how 5S can help reduce waste and optimize productivity in any work environment.

Participants will also be able to discuss the main purpose of each “S” as well as any tool or methods used in each “S”. © The Quality Group.

Prerequisite: None.

Process Mapping

Value Stream Mapping

All products, whether they be tangible goods – or services- or information, have Inputs, a Transformational Process, and Outputs.  Along the Transformational Process are “value added” and “non-value” added activities. The value stream consists of all the activities required to generate a product or service from start to finish.

In this workshop, we will learn to map the value stream and use the tool to create improvements, reduce inefficiencies, and reduce the cost of the value stream.  Often this is referred to as reducing wastes.

Process Mapping is a paper and pencil tool that helps you to see and understand the flow of material and information as a product or service makes its way through the value stream. Participants will learn the techniques associated with developing graphical value stream maps (current and future state).

Prerequisite: None.

Quick & Easy Kaizen

Kaizen – “Kai” to change “Zen” for the good Kaizen is a Japanese term for continuous improvement based on principles of doing things better and achieving higher standards. It is a process or methodology to do continuous incremental improvements that create more value with less waste. Continuous Improvement can often be done quickly and routinely to improve a workflow and value stream processes. This, in turn, creates reduced costs, improved performance, and superior competitiveness in the global marketplace. It embraces the philosophy that we are all problem solvers.

This Introduction to Quick and Easy Kaizen will touch upon:

  • The Achievable Kaizen Process
  • Defining the Present State
  • Scoping a Continuous Improvement Opportunity (problem/issue) that could be easily addressed
  • The value of data gathering and analysis
  • Going to the Next Steps; Successful Models and Planning a Kaizen for your Enterprise
  • Creating the Future State Definition
  • Conducting a Kaizen Event

Prerequisite: None.

Standard Work

This Standard Work workshop will touch upon:

  • Overview of what Standard Work is
  • How does it help and the benefits?
  • How do you implement it?

Prerequisite: None

Lean Practitioner Training

Transforming your Value Stream (Manufacturing and Service)

This Transforming Your Value Stream workshop will touch upon:

  • The 7 Wastes
  • When to use VSM
  • Team set up
  • Scoping
  • Mapping the current state
  • Verifying data
  • Mapping the ideal Future State
  • Complete the implementation plan
  • Presentation to leadership sponsors

Prerequisite: None, although this workshop is targeted towards individuals whose responsibilities include leading change.

Kaizen Events

Kaizen Events are rapid improvement projects with a specific aim for improvement.  Typically Kaizen Events are a week long and are led by a lean facilitator who uses various process improvement tools to identify the problem and implement solutions.

This workshop will touch upon:

  • What is a Kaizen Event?
  • Fundamental Steps for a Kaizen Event
  • Tips and Tricks of successful Kaizen Events
  • Sharing from member companies and Exercises

Prerequisite: None, although this workshop is targeted towards individuals who have completed the EVLA’s Lean Core Training classes.

Problem Solving (5 whys, 8D, KT, FOCUS)

Problem Solving (5 whys, 8D, KT, FOCUS)

Improve your decision-making capabilities through critical thinking, structured reasoning, and creative problem analysis.

Effective decision makers are those rare individuals who are able to consistently identify and choose the best option among multiple alternatives. Their decisions are imaginative, reasoned, and defensible.

In this course, you will be provided with the training and tools necessary to become an inventive, logical decision maker. You’ll explore a structured way to approach and dismantle problems, and you’ll learn to clarify problems in terms of objectives and issues, with a view toward optimum outcomes.

Applying the techniques of critical thinking allows you to dismantle complex problems and to understand the inputs and implications of your thought processes. This training allows you to develop positions on issues that are logical and explicable to others.

This Problem Solving and Critical Thinking workshop will touch upon:

  • PDCA
    • What is PDCA
    • How to apply PDCA to problems in the workplace
    • Activity
  • A3 model
    • What is an A3
    • How to apply A3 to problems in the workplace
    • Activity

Prerequisite: None, although this workshop is targeted towards individuals whose responsibilities include leading change within an organization and/or managing significant change projects

Project Management

Project management and high performing teams are a critical part of any continuous improvement journey.  In this course, we will cover several project planning methods in addition to learning how to estimate project scope and schedule. We’ll also discuss how we manage project resources and engage the most important part of any project:  people.

 

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to do the following:

  • Plan and estimate project scope, resources, and schedule
  • Utilize effective tools to facilitate team engagement

Prerequisite: None