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SmartHort Lean Modules
Are you looking to increase the productivity of your horticulture business?
This practical online course will guide you step by step through the application of Lean theory within your business. It will help you improve labour productivity, reduce business waste and build your capacity to grow the business.
Lean implementation is often low cost and relatively instant. Participants in our training courses have seen productivity improvements of 10–15%, often higher.
The techniques taught apply to all aspects of horticultural business; from growing, picking, packhouse, offices and maintenance. Anyone who wants to introduce business improvements will benefit from these Lean modules.
The course is designed and delivered by experts Fedden USP. There will be 16 sessions in total and further modules will be added below once recorded.
We recommend completing all the modules in order.
Module one: Lean and labour productivity in horticulture and agriculture
Lean module 1.1
- An introduction to the SmartHort Lean training course
- The history of Lean
- The 5 key principles of Lean
- How to identify ‘wastes’ within your horticultural business
- Identifying the areas of your business where implementing Lean could have the biggest impact
66 minutes
Lean module 1.2
- A detailed look at identifying target areas for improvement within your business
- Spotting activities that are ‘non-value add’
- Examples of wastes within horticulture businesses
- How to carry out your own waste spotting exercise
30 minutes
Module two: How to identify areas for improvement
Lean module 2.1 - Process mapping
- A recap from module 1.2 on identifying wastes
- An introduction to process mapping
- Example process maps
- A guide to carry out your own process mapping exercise
You will need:
- Different coloured sticky notes
- Flip chart paper
40 minutes
Lean module 2.2 - Waste walks
- What is a waste walk?
- A step by step guide on how to carry out a waste walk
- How the waste walk links to your process map
- How to collect relevant data for process map and waste walk
44 minutes
Lean module 2.3 - Prioritisation matrices
- What is a prioritisation matrix?
- A step by step guide on how to populate a prioritisation matrix
- How to select which trials to do
- How to convert items from prioritisation matrix into improvement action plans
60 minutes
Lean module 2.4 - Improvement trials
- Review of theory from previous sessions
- Designing trials using Plan, Do, Check, Act
- A Step by step guide on how to set-up and run a trial / Kaizen event
- How to establish success criteria for your trial
42 minutes
Lean module 2.5 - Problem resolution
- A review of theory covered in the course so far
- Review of setting up an running a trial or Kaizen event
- Problem resolution of improvement trials or Kaizen events
- Using one page learning points as part of the plan, do, check, act cycle
38 minutes
Lean module 2.6 - Standard operations and roll-out plans
- How to capture the new process in Standard Operation documents
- How to plan the roll-out of a successful trial
- Review of main learning points from SmartHort Lean module 2
32 minutes
Module three: How to improve productivity in critical operations
Lean module 3.1 - Activity sampling and detailed analysis
- Why it is important to undertake detailed analysis
- Introduction to Activity Sampling
- Activity Sampling Exercise
- Planning to undertake an Activity Sample
- Interpreting the results and creating actions
37 minutes
Lean module 3.2 - Practical problem solving
- The Importance of team based problem solving
- Overview of problem solving cycle (DMAIC)
- Defining and measuring problems
- Tools and techniques for measuring problems and identifying root cause
- ‘5 whys’ exercise
- Selecting and implementing solutions
25 minutes
Lean module 3.3 - Short-term interval controls
- Introduction to short-term interval control
- Importance of short-term interval control
- Developing a short-term interval control
- Using data to improve performance
25 minutes
Lean module 3.4 - Productivity metrics
Productivity metrics and data analysis of productivity rates, e.g. distribution curves
- Introduction to measures
- The dimensions of measures
- Exercise – developing measures
- Presenting and analysing measures
24 minutes
Module four: Visual management and using Plan Do Check Act cycles
Lean module 4.1 - Understand 5S or workplace organisation
- Understand the theory of 5S or workplace organisation
- Carry out a 5S audit
5S is a lean technique that results in a well-organised workplace, complete with visual controls and order; Sort - Set - Shine - Standardise - Sustain.
66 minutes
Lean module 4.2 - Plan and undertake a 5S activity or workplace activity
- Step-by-step guide to carrying out a 5S audit
- Carryout a 5S audit and capturing lessons learnt
- Sustaining 5S activity and making it part of the culture
38 minutes
How to implement a 5S workplace organisation activity - -user guide
Lean module 4.3 - A review of Lean theory
A review session for all the theory covered so far in the previous Lean modules:
- An overview of Lean and its five principles
- How to identify areas for improvment using waste walks and process mapping
- How to improve productivity in critical operations
- Visual management and 'Plan, do, check, act' for improving productivity and quality
59 minutes
Lean module 4.4 - Summary and outcomes
A review of the overall course and the achievements of particpating delegates
14 minutes
If you have any questions about the course or would like to request copies of the presentations, please email smarthort@ahdb.org.uk.