Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Toyota University Lean Video

Here's an interesting simulation from Toyota University. Having been in the "lean business" since before the term lean was coined, Toyota has developed all kinds of lean or TPS simulations over the years for internal training. Occasionally the "Toyota University" is opened up to outsiders, but mostly this is an in-house training centre used by Toyota and their suppliers.

This video shows one of the lean training simulations developed by the experts at Toyota. As you can see, the game uses toy car manufacturing (what a surprise!) to illustrate pull production. Different coloured kanban locations show which type of car is required.

You can see the last guy with the stop watch taking a car at specific intervals from the coloured locations. He is the customer. When the car is taken, the coloured spot is replenished with a car from upstream. This triggers the fabricators to build another one of that colour. A classic kanban set-up!

Has anyone had any experience playing this particular game? Has anyone "graduated" from Toyota University? Add your opinion to the comments below!

Toyota University Simulation Video:




 I've added this video to my list of lean games and simulations!

Please feel free to check out the following additional resources,

Posted by Martin at 6:49 AM
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7 comments:

  1. Rudy GortMarch 20, 2012 at 4:34 PM

    I played this game in 2010 at the Toyota Dealer Development Centre in the Netherlands. After that we bought it through them and I am now using it as a training tool for our employees and partners at Heembouw (construction company).

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    Replies
    1. UnknownJanuary 22, 2013 at 7:46 PM

      Can you tell me where you purchased the game?

      Delete
  2. MartinMarch 21, 2012 at 9:51 PM

    Thanks for the comment Rudy. I didn't know that Toyota used it to train their dealers, but I guess it makes sense. Must be fun to play with the little cars!

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  3. P O PostSeptember 28, 2012 at 3:39 AM

    I am a trained teacher in this game. It is however a short/quick game and the pupils are not really invited to participate with suggestions, improvements etc. As a simulation it works really well but as TPS/Lean training Toyota has better education tools.

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    Replies
    1. MartinSeptember 30, 2012 at 9:08 PM

      Nice to hear from someone that knows about this game. With those fancy cars, I expected more of an interactive game. Although even a short simulation is nice for demonstrating lean processes. Thanks!

      Delete
  4. Mathijs MenheereFebruary 21, 2013 at 8:53 AM

    Looks like there is still some improvement possible on load balancing or Skills ;) The lady last in the production line is slowing down.

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    Replies
    1. MartinFebruary 21, 2013 at 9:03 PM

      Ack. . .bottleneck! She's putting a whole car together, what do you expect :)

      Rebalancing is definitely worthwhile here, or perhaps they could reallocate an operator and run with two. Depends how often the customer wants a car.

      Delete

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