The NFPA 704 Diamond Explained
What is the purpose of the NFPA Diamond? The NFPA 704 diamond is something we all see, but do you know what it means and who it’s intended for? The NFPA diamond can be used on any type of chemical container to alert people (especially emergency responders) to the specific hazards present. This infographic give…
CSS Editorial Staff | December 10, 2020 | CSS.com – Infographics | 3 min read
TEAM Metrics
TIME, in the world of Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma, is an acronym that stands for Time, Errors, Amount, and Money. Its main purpose is to define and calculate performance metrics in any one process. When the company is aware of those performance metrics, they are able to procure data that communicates value. That data then…
CSS Editorial Staff | September 22, 2020 | CSS.com - Glossary | < 1 min read
C4
The C4 method was developed by David Veech and Mike Kirkby to encourage problem solving in the workforce within any type of business. Implementing the method relies on utilizing the C4 card or a worksheet in an A3 format. The goal of C4 is to identify small, daily improvements that are easy to remedy yet still need…
CSS Editorial Staff | September 22, 2020 | CSS.com - Glossary | < 1 min read
Pick Chart
The pick chart is a 2×2 matrix that organizes process improvement ideas for easy review. The vertical scale on the matrix measures difficulty and the horizontal scale measures how beneficial the idea would be if implemented. Pick charts are often used by project managers in group settings where employees are able to collaborate on potential ideas…
CSS Editorial Staff | September 22, 2020 | CSS.com - Glossary | < 1 min read
Earned Value Management
Complimentary to a Six Sigma project management strategy, utilizing an Earned Value Management system assists project managers in determining the budget status accurately while also serving as an early risk detection system for projects that are not going as planned. If using an Earned Value Management process, there are three main sources that procure data, these are:…
CSS Editorial Staff | September 22, 2020 | CSS.com - Glossary | < 1 min read
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Robotic process automation, also known as RPA, is a software that can be programmed to perform basic and repetitive duties across other computer applications. This kind of “digital assistant” completes tedious but necessary tasks that normally use up valuable time for employees in office environments. The long-term benefits that RPA software offers are: Reduced cost – Companies…
CSS Editorial Staff | September 17, 2020 | CSS.com - Glossary | < 1 min read
ECRS
ECRS stands for Eliminate, Combine, Rearrange, and Simplify. This Lean technique is primarily used to reduce or remove wasteful steps entirely from anything regarding manufacturing processes or even office procedures. It might even be helpful to put together a value stream map as well to identify necessary and complex steps within production lines. When implementing ECRS, complex and…
CSS Editorial Staff | September 17, 2020 | CSS.com - Glossary | 2 min read
Lean Startup
The Lean Startup method is popular with newer companies that are looking to create a product, but don’t want to risk the company’s success solely on something that has yet to be deemed as satisfactory by a potential buyer. Startups tend to fail because the company did not take customer input for improvements on a product. This…
CSS Editorial Staff | September 17, 2020 | CSS.com - Glossary | 2 min read
Minimum Viable Product
A Minimum viable product (MVP) is the version of a new product that is released to early adopters with basic features in which the producer is then able to gather information for improvement. This allows the producer to make changes or drop the product before a large amount of work and money are spent without proof that…
CSS Editorial Staff | September 15, 2020 | CSS.com - Glossary | < 1 min read
Karakuri
“Karakuri” is a Japanese word that translates to “mechanism” or “machinery.” It involves the use of mechanical devices or gadgetry to accomplish a task, rather than relying on hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric devices. The concept was developed years before computers and electrical motors were invented, so for a long time, Karakuri was an integral method to mechanically…
CSS Editorial Staff | September 14, 2020 | CSS.com - Glossary | 2 min read
Hawthorne Effect
The Hawthorne Effect is a phenomenon that occurs when individuals change or improve their behavior simply because they are aware of being observed. The effect has been a noted factor in a variety of experimental studies, and is thought to be unavoidable in any type of study or experiment that uses humans as subjects. People…
CSS Editorial Staff | September 14, 2020 | CSS.com - Glossary | 2 min read
Marking Floors to Communicate Social Distancing
Marking floors is the most effective way to communicate social distancing. The CDC recommends that workers, visitors, and customers are able to stay six feet apart from each other while they are on your worksite. Floor marking is the best visual reference for people to immediately recognize the appropriate distance from other people. Types of…
CSS Editorial Staff | August 28, 2020 | CSS.com – Infographics | 2 min read
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)
VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. These chemical compounds exist everywhere and are relatively harmless when occurring naturally. However, man-made VOCs can be much more damaging to human health due to the sheer volume and constant exposure during manufacturing processes. Man-made sources of VOCs are often present in building products, home and personal care products,…
CSS Editorial Staff | August 7, 2020 | CSS.com - Glossary | 2 min read
Introducing the Winner of the 2020 Fall Scholarship
Even in the middle of a pandemic, we are humbled by the amount of submissions we received this year from students of all ages, backgrounds, and career goals. This summer we received more than 1,000 scholarship submissions from students eager to change the world in these uncertain times. It was not an easy task to…
CSS Editorial Staff | August 7, 2020 | Company Updates | Scholarship | 4 min read
Meet Our Spring 2020 Scholarship Winner
Our eighth scholarship competition has come to a close and for another year, we are astounded by the volume of impressive applicants from across the country. Since opening our scholarship competition, we have enjoyed supporting scholars representing a wide range of backgrounds, locations, and ambitions. This year we have had the privilege to read so…
CSS Editorial Staff | May 1, 2020 | Company Updates | Scholarship | 6 min read
