ABSTRACT
Waste is like a virus because it hides and then incubates. Ultimately, waste decreases our ability to compete in the marketplace. Waste causes variation and imperfection in our processes. There are seven primary wastes: overproduction, time on hand, transportation/travel, overprocessing, inventory, movement/motion, defects/rework. The easiest waste referred to as low-hanging fruit as it is easy to see and very obvious to anyone in the area. It could be trash/parts on the floor, a long waiting line at a register, someone searching for an office supply, standing at the printer, or waiting at the store while someone checks for a price on an unmarked item. An organization based on efficiency is diametrically opposed to strenuousness. Efficiency brings about greater results with lessened effort. Standard times and bonus are based on the theory of efficiency. Piece rates are a reversion to historical standards; whereas standard times are a step into the future.
