lean manufacturing

Posts Tagged ‘Four-Ms’

The Four Ms
The variables that a production system manipulates to produce value for customers. The first three are resources; the fourth is the way the resources are used. In a lean system, the Four Ms mean:
1. Material—no defects or shortages.
2. Machine—no breakdowns, defects, or unplanned stoppages.
3. Man—good work habits, necessary skills, punctuality, and no unscheduled absenteeism.
4. Method—standardized processes, maintenance, and management.