The document outlines an 8-step Focused Improvement process to maximize efficiency and minimize losses in production lines, processes, and equipment. The steps are: 1) set an improvement topic, 2) understand the current situation, 3) expose and eliminate abnormalities, 4) analyze causes, 5) plan improvements, 6) implement improvements, 7) check results, and 8) consolidate gains. The goal is to continuously improve operations using the Plan-Do-Check-Act framework.

1. Focused Improvement
© Operational Excellence Consulting. All rights reserved.
The goal of Focused Improvement is to maximize the effectiveness
and efficiencies of the lines, processes and equipment, and
minimize the company’s losses and waste.
§ Prepare inspection and work standards
§ Monitor the proposed solution to
ensure that the desired results are
maintained
§ Train operators on the new standard
§ Make drawings and prepare final
project report
§ Conduct a senior management review
§ Roll out the improvements to similar
lines, processes and equipment
8. Consolidate Gains
§ Evaluate results over a set period
§ Check whether targets have been
achieved
§ Use visual representation such as
Pareto chart or bar chart to compare
the ‘before’ and ‘after’ results
§ If the target has still not been achieved,
return to any of the earlier step to
investigate
7. Check Results
§ Obtain the necessary funds
§ Carry out the improvement plan
§ Perform tests and trial runs
§ Find ways to overcome any problems
encountered
§ Provide instructions to work on
improved equipment, and the operating
conditions
6. Implement Improvements
§ Make improvement proposals
§ Work up each proposal to the point
where it is virtually certain the targets
will be attained
§ Compare cost effectiveness of
alternative proposals
§ Check for possible adverse effects and
advantages
§ Present the proposals to senior
management, and make any final
alterations
5. Plan Improvements
§ Stratify and analyze the possible causes
for the targeted losses
§ Verify the root causes
§ Apply analytical tools and techniques,
e.g. why-why analysis, P-M analysis
§ Conduct experiments, apply specific
technology, and fabricate prototypes
4. Analyze Causes
§ Select topic and register with the TPM
Promotion Office
§ Form a project team
§ Establish team guidelines (‘rules of
engagement’)
§ Decide who will be responsible for
tackling each loss and what actions
§ Plan the project schedule
§ Have the project plan be reviewed by
senior management
1. Set the Improvement Topic
§ Identify the line, process or equipment
§ Measure failures, defects and losses
§ Use visual representation such as
charts, graphs, tables, etc. to depict the
bottleneck line, process or equipment
§ Establish baselines
§ Use the baselines to set targets
2. Understand the Situation
§ Thoroughly study the structure and
functions of the equipment
§ Clean, inspect and expose the
abnormalities
§ Restore deterioration and correct minor
flaws
§ Establish the basic equipment condition
with the help of visual controls
§ Draw up plans for resolving problems
that cannot be addressed immediately
3. Expose & Eliminate
Abnormalities
Expose & Eliminate Abnormalities
3
Understand the Situation
2
Set the Improvement Topic
1
Analyze Causes
4
Check Results
7
Implement Improvements
6
Plan Improvements
5
Consolidate Gains
8
PLAN
ACT
CHECK
DO

2. Focused Improvement
© Operational Excellence Consulting. All rights reserved.
The goal of Focused Improvement is to maximize the effectiveness
and efficiencies of the lines, processes and equipment, and
minimize the company’s losses and waste.
§ Prepare inspection and work standards
§ Monitor the proposed solution to
ensure that the desired results are
maintained
§ Train operators on the new standard
§ Make drawings and prepare final
project report
§ Conduct a senior management review
§ Roll out the improvements to similar
lines, processes and equipment
8. Consolidate Gains
§ Evaluate results over a set period
§ Check whether targets have been
achieved
§ Use visual representation such as
Pareto chart or bar chart to compare
the ‘before’ and ‘after’ results
§ If the target has still not been achieved,
return to any of the earlier step to
investigate
7. Check Results
§ Obtain the necessary funds
§ Carry out the improvement plan
§ Perform tests and trial runs
§ Find ways to overcome any problems
encountered
§ Provide instructions to work on
improved equipment, and the operating
conditions
6. Implement Improvements
§ Make improvement proposals
§ Work up each proposal to the point
where it is virtually certain the targets
will be attained
§ Compare cost effectiveness of
alternative proposals
§ Check for possible adverse effects and
advantages
§ Present the proposals to senior
management, and make any final
alterations
5. Plan Improvements
§ Stratify and analyze the possible causes
for the targeted losses
§ Verify the root causes
§ Apply analytical tools and techniques,
e.g. why-why analysis, P-M analysis
§ Conduct experiments, apply specific
technology, and fabricate prototypes
4. Analyze Causes
§ Select topic and register with the TPM
Promotion Office
§ Form a project team
§ Establish team guidelines (‘rules of
engagement’)
§ Decide who will be responsible for
tackling each loss and what actions
§ Plan the project schedule
§ Have the project plan be reviewed by
senior management
1. Set the Improvement Topic
§ Identify the line, process or equipment
§ Measure failures, defects and losses
§ Use visual representation such as
charts, graphs, tables, etc. to depict the
bottleneck line, process or equipment
§ Establish baselines
§ Use the baselines to set targets
2. Understand the Situation
§ Thoroughly study the structure and
functions of the equipment
§ Clean, inspect and expose the
abnormalities
§ Restore deterioration and correct minor
flaws
§ Establish the basic equipment condition
with the help of visual controls
§ Draw up plans for resolving problems
that cannot be addressed immediately
3. Expose & Eliminate
Abnormalities
Expose & Eliminate Abnormalities
3
Understand the Situation
2
Set the Improvement Topic
1
Analyze Causes
4
Check Results
7
Implement Improvements
6
Plan Improvements
5
Consolidate Gains
8
PLAN
ACT
CHECK
DO

3. © Operational Excellence Consulting. All rights reserved. 3
Operational Excellence Consulting is a management training and consulting
firm that assists organizations in improving business performance and
effectiveness. Based in Singapore, the firm’s mission is to create business
value for organizations through innovative design and operational excellence
management training and consulting solutions. For more information, please
visit www.oeconsulting.com.sg