QRM Shop Floor Mastery New Cell Design and Scheduling for High-Mix, Low-Volume, and Custom Production

Upcoming dates (2)

Jun. 24-25, 2025

Online

Register through Jun. 19, 2025

Course Overview

Gain expert insights into designing effective shop floor cells that address the complexities of variable product mixes and fluctuating volumes. Learn to implement POLCA, a visual, card-based scheduling system that enhances team coordination and minimizes work-in-progress. Through hands-on exercises and real-world case studies, you'll achieve sustainable improvements in shop performance and on-time delivery.

Learning Outcomes

  • Master the design of shop floor cells to enhance product flow and reduce lead times in high-mix, low-volume environments.
  • Implement POLCA to overcome the limitations of traditional Kanban for custom and low-volume production.
  • Address key challenges in cell design, including managing shared resources and adapting to dynamic production requirements.

Who Should Attend?

  • Manufacturing professionals who optimize shop floor performance in high-mix, low-volume, and custom production environments.
  • Operations managers and production engineers who improve production flow and manage complex scheduling and capacity planning challenges.
  • Team leaders and process improvement specialists who refine strategies and implement advanced solutions for sustainable shop floor operations.

Course Outline

Introduction to QRM and the Role of Shop Floor Cells

  • Understanding the fundamentals of QRM and the importance of cells in reducing lead times.
  • Key aspects of cell design for high-mix, low-volume production.

POLCA: A Visual Control System for Complex Production

  • Detailed exploration of POLCA and its unique hybrid push/pull approach.
  • How POLCA enhances team coordination, reduces scheduling stress, and improves job flow.

Designing and Implementing Effective Shop Floor Cells

  • Identifying Focused Target Market Segments and designing cells to meet production needs.
  • Practical guidance on equipment, labor considerations, and overcoming challenges with shared resources.

Advanced Shop Scheduling and Capacity Planning

  • Techniques for managing capacity, lot sizes, and inventory in cell-based production.
  • Using POLCA to support cell teams and maintain optimal flow on the shop floor.

Steps to Successful Implementation and Industry Success Stories

  • Stepwise guide to implementing cells and POLCA, including strategic and financial justification.
  • Case studies showcasing how companies have transformed their operations through cell design and POLCA.

Upcoming dates (2)

Program Director

James Rink

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We can deliver this course as an on-site learning experience tailored to your organization’s specific training needs.