Early in my career, I worked with some fantastic leaders who had an uncanny ability to make Lean Six Sigma more memorable than a song stuck on repeat. Daniel T. Purefoy, is one of the most memorable leaders I can recall on this topic. They took these principles and gamified them, complete with reinforcing themes and inside jokes, transforming them from abstract concepts to something we could actually use day-to-day. They somehow made Lean Six Sigma fun—and I know that’s not something you hear every day. Those lessons have stuck with me, shaping how I think about asset protection (AP), especially in the tangled web that is the supply chain.
Now, as our supply chains grow more complex and security challenges get trickier, Lean Six Sigma, with a splash of TIMWOOD, is like a trusty toolbox—one I reach for regularly. So, let’s break down how TIMWOOD can keep us from losing our minds (or our products) in key supply chain hotspots: distribution centers, fulfillment hubs, and sortation facilities.
- Transportation: Reducing Risk During Goods Movement
We all know the shuffle: goods zigzagging from one area to another like they’re on a never-ending relay race. But every extra transport step means extra risk. For instance, hauling high-value items back and forth for no good reason is like begging for them to vanish. Lean Six Sigma says, “Let’s stop this endless shuffle!” By streamlining these routes, we’re not only sparing our legs but also reducing the likelihood that goods mysteriously “disappear” mid-journey.
- Inventory: Managing Stock Levels and Visibility for Loss Prevention
There’s nothing quite like excess inventory to create a “Where’s Waldo?” situation in the warehouse. High inventory levels in a central replenishment center or fulfillment hub can make it nearly impossible to keep track of what’s what, making shrinkage harder to spot. Lean principles help us reduce inventory clutter—think “Marie Kondo-ing” the supply chain—and boost visibility, so if anything decides to walk away, we’ll notice before it’s out the door.
- Motion: Optimizing Staff and Security Equipment Positioning
If you’ve ever watched security guards do laps across a sprawling warehouse, you know excessive motion waste when you see it. Every time a guard has to trek across the floor to check on an alarm or camera, time is ticking away. Lean Six Sigma says, “Let’s make this easier.” Strategically placed cameras, sensors, and patrol stations make sure no one’s racking up steps like they’re training for a marathon, saving time and energy for real security matters.
- Waiting: Minimizing Downtime for Incident Reporting and Resolution
Nothing makes waiting more painful than when there’s a security incident brewing and all you can do is wait for approvals. Picture a sortation center where staff have to twiddle their thumbs until a manager signs off on an investigation. Waiting waste is the enemy of fast action. With real-time reporting tools, AP teams can sidestep the bottlenecks and tackle issues head-on, without the endless back-and-forth.
- Overproduction: Reducing Excessive Monitoring and Reporting
Ever feel like there are cameras in places that absolutely don’t need them (like the coffee station)? Overproduction is when security efforts end up diluted because we’re monitoring everything and the janitor’s mop. Lean Six Sigma tells us to focus on the high-risk areas. Let’s give ourselves permission to stop the excessive surveillance so we can focus on the zones that need it most—no one’s stealing the coffee machine today.
- Overprocessing: Streamlining Asset Protection Procedures
Who doesn’t love a redundant checklist that you have to check twice? Overprocessing shows up in AP when we’re duplicating tasks that could easily be simplified. If every outgoing package requires three signatures and two manual scans, we’re just creating headaches. Lean Six Sigma’s DMAIC framework says, “Cut out the fluff!” Focus on steps that actually matter so the team can tackle real issues, not just paper-push.
- Defects: Preventing Errors in Security Equipment and Incident Handling
Defects in AP can look like a camera system that’s out of focus just when you need it. Every time equipment glitches or an incident is bungled, there’s a price to pay. Using regular quality checks and root-cause analysis to keep our tools functioning reliably, we don’t just protect assets; we keep our blood pressure in check, too.
The Bottom Line: Lean Six Sigma for Smarter, Safer Supply Chains
With Lean Six Sigma and TIMWOOD guiding us, we’re ready to tackle the inefficiencies that lurk in the supply chain. By identifying and trimming down each type of waste, we’re building safer, smarter middle-mile nodes and protecting everything from people to products. The best part? It’s not just about saving time or reducing headaches; it’s about creating a system that evolves with us.
For me, Lean Six Sigma principles aren’t just lessons from the past—they’re tools I reach for every day, as useful now as they were when those incredible leaders first taught me.
Do you have a different take? Or more to add? Let us know by emailing comments@talklpnews.com.
We'll run your comments tomorrow. |
|
-2.png?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=TalkLP%20(560%20x%20150%20px)-2.png)
.jpeg?upscale=true&width=320&upscale=true&name=download%20(19).jpeg)
-1.jpeg?upscale=true&width=320&upscale=true&name=images%20(1)-1.jpeg)
.jpeg?upscale=true&width=320&upscale=true&name=download%20(20).jpeg)
.png?upscale=true&width=214&upscale=true&name=TalkLP%20Banner%20(120%20x%20450%20px).png)
