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What are the 7 Wastes and why should you care? Well let's find out in this edition of the
Gemba Glossary.
Now it may be hard to believe but numerous studies and observations have shown that anywhere
from 40% to 90% of the work or effort that goes into a process or system is nothing but
wasted effort. As such, being able to identify and ultimately counter what are commonly referred
to as the 7 Wastes is essential. Now to help you remember the names of these 7 wastes,
we'd like to introduce you to Mr. Tim Wood. Now T stands for Transportation which is the
movement of materials that adds no value to the product. I stands for Inventory which
is any material or work on hand other than what's needed right now to satisfy customer
demand. M stands for Motion which is any movement of people that doesn't add value to the product.
Now this includes walking and reaching for things. Next, anytime there is idle time created
because materials, machines, inspections or information are not ready for people, we have
the waste of waiting. Now overproduction often called the mother of all waste occurs when
we make more product then our customers need. Next we experience the waste of over processing
when something's designed in such a way that uses more resources such as space, energy,
or people then is truly required. And finally D stands for Defects which is simply work
that is less than the level the customer both internal and external has requested. Now Taiichi
Ohno one of the chief architects at the Toyota Production System is credited with having
defined these 7 types of wastes which describe all activities that add costs but no value.
Now Mr. Ohno also preached that the most important thing any of us can do is go to Gemba where
the place the work is done and relentlessly reduce any and all forms of waste. And finally,
you may also encounter a so-called eighth form of waste. The waste of skills and talent
meaning that we're not fully utilizing the gifts our employees bring to the table. Now
adding this eighth waste to the list is quite easy as our good friend Tim simply changes
his last name from Wood to Woods. And that's an overview of the 7 wastes. Well please be
sure to subscribe to this channel and tune in to the next episode of the Gemba Glossary
where you'll learn the A to Z of continuous improvement.