Shingo’s Seven Wastes

Shingo’s Seven Wastes, also known as the seven deadly wastes or the 8 wastes of lean manufacturing, are a set of specific things that commonly cause problems and inefficiencies in logistics. They are:

  1. Overproduction is often caused by not having enough information about what customers really want or need. This can lead to production line workers feeling pressured to produce more than is necessary, which in turn leads to wasted time, materials, and energy.
  2. Waiting can happen at any stage of the logistics process – for example, when goods are waiting to be loaded onto a truck or when they are waiting to be unloaded at their destination. This wasted time can add up, and it can be frustrating for everyone involved.
  3. Transportation is another area where inefficiencies can occur. For example, if goods are being transported by road, there may be traffic jams or delays due to bad weather. If goods are being transported by air, there may be delays due to airspace congestion. In both cases, these delays can lead to extra costs and frustration.
  4. Stocks refer to the inventory of materials that a company has on hand. If a company has too much stock, it leads to waste because the materials are taking up space and tying up capital that could be used elsewhere. On the other hand, if a company doesn’t have enough stock, it may lead to production delays and lost sales.
  5. Motion refers to the movement of people or things. When people have to move around unnecessarily to do their jobs, it leads to wasted time and energy. For example, if workers have to walk long distances to retrieve materials, it will take them longer to complete their tasks.
  6. Making defects is another common source of waste. This can happen when there are errors in the manufacturing process, or when products are not made to the correct specifications. These defects can lead to rework, which wastes time and materials.
  7. Finally, processing itself can be a source of waste. This is often due to unnecessary steps in the manufacturing process, or because the process is not well-designed. As a result, products may take longer to manufacture, and they may not meet the quality standards that customers expect.

By identifying and addressing these seven wastes, companies can improve their logistics operations and reduce costs. In addition, by improving the flow of information and materials, they can also improve customer satisfaction.

Related Links

Shingo’s Seven Wastes Definition – Operations & Supply Chain Dictionary
Shingo’s Seven Wastes – Oxford Reference
Shingo’s Seven Wastes – oi
Waste of Transport; causes, symptoms, examples, solutions – Lean Manufacturing Tools
Waste of Waiting; causes, symptoms, examples and solutions – Lean Manufacturing Tools
What is seven wastes?
Real Life Examples of the 7 Wastes of Lean

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