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Unit 2 Assignment - Toyota Production System/Lean Principles

Syed Fahim Abbas Kazmi

Project Management, University of Harrisburg

PMGT 574-50- B-2024/Spring - Lean Thinking

Assignment Due Date: 24 Jan 2024

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As a data systems analyst at GSK, working with both GxP and non-GxP assets, I see

numerous opportunities for applying the Seven Lean Principles to enhance our operational

efficiency and quality. These principles, rooted in eliminating waste, amplifying learning, and

decision-making optimization, can significantly streamline our processes and support the high

standards required in our industry.

In my daily operations, I constantly seek ways to eliminate waste by streamlining

maintenance and calibration processes. This involves identifying and removing redundant

activities, thereby reducing downtime and optimizing our schedules. I also focus on amplifying

learning within our team, ensuring that we stay updated on the latest technologies and best

practices in asset management. By fostering a culture of shared learning and feedback, and

utilizing data trends to predict future maintenance needs, we can improve our predictive

maintenance strategies. Decision-making is another critical area where I apply lean principles.

By maintaining flexibility in our maintenance scheduling and utilizing real-time data, we can

make more informed decisions, allocating resources efficiently and performing maintenance only

when necessary.

Empowering our team is central to our approach, where I advocate for giving them

autonomy in decision-making and providing them with the necessary tools and training. This

empowerment, coupled with our commitment to maintaining the integrity of our processes and

adherence to regulatory requirements, ensures high-quality maintenance and calibration of our

assets. Lastly, I continuously look at optimizing our entire process, from equipment procurement

to end-of-life. This holistic view allows for the integration of different data systems, optimizing

spare parts inventory management, and improving coordination between departments. Through

these applications of the Seven Lean Principles, I am contributing to operational excellence at

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GSK, aligning with our commitment to quality and efficiency, and ensuring compliance with

regulatory standards.
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References

Institute, P. M. (2021, July 1). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge

(PMBOK® Guide) – Seventh Edition and The Standard for Project Management (ENGLISH).

Project Management Institute.

Poppendieck, M. and Poppendieck, T. (2013) Lean Software Development: An agile toolkit.

Boston: Addison-Wesley.