Lean Digital Manager

The course builds on a fundamental understanding of processes and value streams in the factory. Participants will develop greater expertise in methods, management skills, and digital applications to the point where they can benefit from combining the advantages of lean production and Industry 4.0 at their workplace. To accomplish that, the five-day program provides a concise overview of the latest trends and technologies in Industry 4.0 and shows which of them are particularly helpful in lean production. Each training module relies primarily on practical use cases to promote learning achievement that broadens existing theoretical knowledge. At the same time, participants learn about the changing role of management in digital transformation and what skills will help you thrive in a VUCA world – whether that involves the shop floor, the production line, quality assurance, or logistics. 

Experiencing digital lean technologies

Historically speaking, lean culture is an analog one: much of it uses boards, printed visualizations, delivery notes, manufacturing orders, and datasheets. That’s why many lean managers have reservations and anxiety about digitalization. But at their core, lean management and digitalization are two kinds of transformation that complement each other very nicely. That’s what up-and-coming lean digital managers will learn about at ROI-EFESO IoT Fab, which will have over 20 technology stations arranged in a factory-like setting. During a two-day seminar, they will see first-hand what synergies are possible from the fusion of Lean and Industry 4.0, for instance the digitalization of classic lean elements like the supermarket or real-time monitoring and optimization of lean KPIs like Takt time, OEE, and SMED.

The main educational objective is to generate concrete ideas and solutions from the newly acquired knowledge for use at the participants’ own workplaces. This is true of course not only for the two days spent at ROI-EFESO IoT Fab, but also for the other three training modules offered. The subject matter of these are as follows: 

• The fundamentals and applications of Industry 4.0, relying mainly on practical exercises and examples
• Digitalizing lean production through the use of digital linking of systems, processes, and products
• The role of management in digital transformation

Lean digital manager as a conductor of added value

But a lean digital manager needs more than just technological expertise in combining Lean and Industry 4.0. He or she should also know how to use this knowledge as a manager who brings out the best in his or her employees’ capabilities. After all, the question of whether technologies and tools will create value, and if so to what extent, ultimately depends on how skilled and motivated the employees are to actually use them. So these items should be incorporated into the transformation process from the start. In addition, managers should help their employees find their footing in a quickly and constantly changing world, while communicating openly and – instead of deciding everything on their own – fostering the decision-making process as a team.

In the ROI-EFESO trainings, participants enhance these management skills, taking into account various areas of action. Here are some examples: 

• How is the role of management changing in a VUCA world? What new management concepts are needed, what concepts that have worked in the past will continue to work in the digitally connected age?
• How can we be true to the principle of “Go there and have a look” in a global network of industrial locations? What are the differences and commonalities between “flexible” and “lean” management methods?
• How can managers meaningfully engage with the increasing availability of information, for instance in shop floor management? What combination of digital and analog media or communication modes is best for managing workers?