Metric Dashboards for Operations and Supply Chain Excellence

Over the last decade lean and six sigma methods and tools have helped organizations improve to historic productivity levels with the data driven, systematic elimination of waste and improvement of flow. Today many organizations have enjoyed the benefits of Lean and Six sigma initiatives, and are looking more to sustain the gains, and aggressively drive a systematic and on-going approach to improvement and problem solving.

The concept of diminishing returns applies here, when in the early stages, organizations were able to find 'low-hanging fruit' and to quickly make significant improvements. Now the easy work is done, and organizations need a simple yet systematic approach to continuing their continuous improvement efforts. Operations and supply chain leaders will benefit from this book by developing a clear understanding of why and how metric scorecards and dashboards can be used as a powerful data driven improvement tool.

This book illustrates visual management, scorecards, and dashboards for a full range of organizations, and focuses on Operations and Supply Chain Management areas. By covering these tools in these environments in a story book format, organization leaders can begin to understand how these methods and tools can be applied in their organizations.

About the Authors

Jaideep Motwani is Chair and Professor of Management at the Seidman College of Business, Grand Valley State University since 2000. He is also the E. Seidman Endowed Chair of Management, and received his PhD in Operations Management from University of North Texas. He published more than 150 articles in prestigious journals in the area of total quality management, customer service, service strategy, managing for results, and creativity and innovation. He serves as a global consultant and trainer for a number of organizations worldwide, and some of his clients include Herman Miller, Nokia, and Oliver Products.

Rob Ptacek is President and CEO of Competitive Edge Training and is a consultant and partner of Global Lean Institute, LLC. Mr. Ptacek holds a BS in Metallurgical Engineering from Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, and a Masters of Management from Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr. Ptacek is an adjunct instructor of management principles, manufacturing strategy, and total quality management, and has taught at Grand Valley State University, Aquinas College, Davenport University, and currently instructs in the Lean Champion Certification program at Grand Rapids Community College. Mr. Ptacek has provided Lean and Leadership training and consulting in North America, Asia, and Europe.