1.

Continual quality improvement is not only important, but instead it is

necessary in todays day and age. The days of a single product
dominating the market space, and consumers being loyal to a specific
brand, are long gone. These days, consumers care less about the
manufacturer, and instead care solely on the product being offered and
the price it is being offered at. An example of this would be; if you were
to create a product and have success early on, however another
company decides they are going to make a competing product and
they manage to do it for half of the priceyou are going to lose a large
majority of your customer base simply based on the advantages to the
consumer. Getting customers satisfied, increasing customers retention
and productivity rates by reducing waste thus, growing the companys
profitability can only be achieved via a conscious, standardized and
systematic change procedure. In addition to the impact it will have on
the consumer, continual improvement will boost employee productivity.
It will help in standardizing work procedures and ultimately increase
the strength of the companys brand.

2. Management plays a crucial role in driving continual quality

improvement. It is a managers job to create an environment where
employees feel empowered, and put forth their best efforts on a daily
basis. Management must display the characteristics associated with
total quality on a very outward basis, as the employees working
beneath them will have a tough time getting behind something that
their manager is apprehensive about. I can relate very easily to this
theory as I know for a fact that if my boss was pushing total quality
improvement on me, but not embracing it himself, I would likely look at
 it as an attempt to deceive me and push unwanted work in my
direction. There are several ideologies that leaders must live by when
implementing total quality and they are as follows; Leaders pull rather
than push, leaders know where they want to go, leaders must be
courageous and trustworthy, and a leaders most important role after
forming the vision and setting the course is helping people to do their
jobs with pride.

3. The Kaizen approach is a Japanese concept of incremental continual

improvement. In Japanese the word Kai means change, and Zen
means good. When combined to form Kaizen, the translated meaning
is to make change for the better on a continual, never-ending basis.
The improvement aspect of Kaizen refers to people, processes and
products. If the Kaizen philosophy was to be fully in place, it would
mean that all aspects of an organization are improving all of the time.
The theme of Kaizen is that good is never good enough, and more is
constantly demanded from those involved. The image below outlines
the more important steps of the Kaizen approach. The Kaizen approach
is highlighted in use by Toyota Corporation.
4. To summarize the concept in a few words, I would say a lean system is
a system that not only does more with less, but also does it better. The
basis of the lean system is that a better product is developed, or a
better service is delivered using less of everything required. Lean is
about being flexible enough to get the right things, to the right place,
at the right time and in the right amounts. The fundamental task used
to reach this place in manufacturing it to cut several types of waste
from a business unit. The main types of waste which are focused on
are as follows; Overproduction waste, Inventory waste, motion waste,
transportation waste, over processing waste, defects waste, waiting
waste and finally underutilization waste. The different tools that can be
used to reach this plateau are outlined below.
5. The lean six sigma approach is one that combines the two ideologies to
form one. The thought is that the two systems complement each other
with their strengths. The main strengths being Leans waste
elimination, and Six Sigmas breakthrough methodology for solving
performance problems and making improvements. The objective of
lean six sigma is to make the organization superior in its day-to-day
work, its processes, its products and/or services and last but not least,
its business results. With technology changing at an ever faster pace,
and with customer demands and preferences constantly shifting, the
need for continually improving processes, employees, products and
services will be with us long into the future.

6. Benchmarking is the process of comparing and measuring an

organizations operations or its internal processes against those of a
best in class performer from inside or outside of its industry. In simpler
terms, benchmarking is finding the secrets of success of any given
function or process so that a company can learn from the information
and improve on it. It is a process to help a company close the gap with
the best-in-class performers without having to re-invent the wheel.
Sometimes even more importantly; benchmarking is a tool to help
establish where improvement resources should be allocated. If it could
be determined that your organization matches up with a best-in-class
performer in all but one major area, you can make the determination
that that specific area is where money and people should be allocated.
Benchmarking differs greatly from auditing whereas in the audit
process, typically the focus is on looking inside ones own company,
and making determinations on flaws and areas that are in need of
improvement.
7. To successfully put the data gathered during the benchmarking process
to use, you will first need to sort through the two different types of
data acquired. The first type of information is quantitative information,
which is effectively the measuring point from which all future progress
will be based upon. In addition to a measuring tool, quantitative data
will also be used to as the basis for improvement objectives.
Qualitative information is much more specific and typically includes
matters such as personnel policies, training, management styles and
hierarchy. These items are less important at the forefront of the
implementation process, but are crucial to maintaining and harboring a
continuous total quality environment. An important part of
benchmarking is to update the benchmarks and continue the cycle
throughout time. By the time you have implemented your new
changes, there may be new things being done by the best-in-class
organizations leaving you once again at their heels.

8. Just-In-Time manufacturing or JIT, is a management philosophy that

seeks to eliminate all forms of waste in manufacturing processes and
their support activities. JIT is designed to permit the production of only
what is needed, only when it is needed, and only in the quantity
needed. A key part of the implementation of this strategy is that not
only must the manufacturer adopt the JIT process, but suppliers must
be involved as well in order to eliminate all possible waste. The
supplier should not produce or warehouse any material whatsoever,
the material should be produced just in time to meet the
manufacturers needs. The graphic below provides a very good high
level understanding of the JIT concept.
9. When it comes to JIT manufacturing, there are four main categories
where a organization would stand to benefit. The first category relates
to warehouse costs, and the guaranteed decrease that would ensue.
Storing excess inventory can cost a lot of money, and reducing the
amount of inventory that is kept on hand will reduce cost. Companies
that implement the just-in-time inventory model may be able to reduce
the number of warehouses they maintain, or even allow them to
eliminate those warehouses altogether. Second is improved supply
chain management. JIT manufacturing lends to more efficient and more
cost effective processes which will allow a company to become more
competitive. The third major category is customer satisfaction.
Companies that use the just-in-time model have a greater level of
control over the entire manufacturing process, making it easier to
respond quickly when the needs of customers change. The fourth and
final category which is focused on in JIT is less waste. This is a self-
explanatory benefit, and the cost savings can be re-invested into
separate areas of need within the company.

10. The idea of a fully automated system, operating on the principles

of JIT manufacturing is what I would imagine could be considered the
pinnacle of the manufacturing process. I picture a warehouse that is
fully automated, with zero waste as being the absolute highest level of
performance that a manufacturing operation could reach. It does seem
that companies like Amazon and Apple, are trying their best to move
towards a scenario like this, as they both have invested extremely high
 amounts of money towards robot technology and other automation
systems designed to be used as part of the supply chain process. The
downside of a process as streamlined as this, is that it would likely
leave many human beings who currently operate hands on in the
manufacturing process, without their job.
Social Media Assignment 6:
New US Electricity Transmission Additions Could Have Significant Impact
For Wind Energy
Increases to America's electricity transmission network could lead to a future in which US sources 20% of its
electricity from wind by 2030 and 35% by 2050. Consumer savings could reach as high as $2.3 to $3.4 billion
annually, paying for the cost of the electricity transmission upgrades in under five years. The four proposed
transmission lines are all located in the western US. The addition of these four transmission lines would reduce
annual curtailment by approximately 50%. As far as how realistic these projects appear to be at the moment,
my partner and both highlighted the fact that the Trump administration has spoken in high favor towards
projects of this nature and the likelihood of it occurring is seemingly favorable. For someone like myself who
works for an organization that is involved in the construction of transmission networks and is familiar with
projects of this nature, this goal seems to meet all of criteria for a SMART goal. Many people in the industry are
buzzing with excitement surrounding this development.

Wind and Solar Outpace Gas

According to new findings from the U.S. energy information administration, more
than half of the roughly 24,000 megawatts of electricity generation capacity which
was added to the U.S. grid in 2016 came from renewable resources. The agency
also estimates that of these additions, roughly 60% were from wind and solar
resources. In contrast to the growth in renewable energy, EIA this week also
reported that U.S. coal is expected to fall to its lowest level in nearly 40 years.
Projected coal production for 2016 is also down 17% from 2015, and it continues an
eight year tumble from peak coal production in 2008. Coals decline last year was
affected by a number of factors, including competition from low-cost natural gas,
higher than normal temperatures and retirements of US coal fired power plants. One
final notable statistic that can be found in the article is that in 2016, natural gas
fired power generation surpassed coal fired generation for the first time. I find this
article particularly interesting and exciting, as I currently am employed by a utility
contracting company which participates in a high amount of natural gas
construction.
~10,000 Volkswagen Diesel Vehicle Owners In UK Suing Company Over
Scandal
According to the January 12th article written by James Ayre for Cleantechnica.com,
new legal action is being launched in the UK against Volkswagen. The British law
firm Harcus Sinclair is seeking compensation for every driver/owner in the UK
directly affected by the diesel emissions cheating scandal. According to the firm, the
suit will involve roughly 1.2 million vehicles in the UK, with approximately 10,000
affected vehicles already signed on for the group action. The basis for the firms
argument is that buyers received a vehicle that should have never been licensed for
sale, because it did not meet the required emissions standards. Volkswagen reps
have publicly commented on the matter, stating that the company didnt believe
customers were negatively affected by the issue and that they would robustly
defend theirselves. I tend to feel that Volkswagen may come out on top in this case,
as from what I see/hear buyers have not really been turned away from purchasing
VW vehicles.

Sources:
Hill, Joshua . "New US Electricity Transmission Additions Could Have
Significant Impact For Wind Energy." CleanTechnica. N.p., 13 Jan. 2017. Web.
25 Apr. 2017. <https://cleantechnica.com/2017/01/13/new-us-electricity-
transmission-significant-impact-wind-energy/?
utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A
%2BIM-cleantechnica%2B%28CleanTechnica%29>.
Ayre, James. "~10,000 Volkswagen Diesel Vehicle Owners In UK Suing
Company Over Scandal." CleanTechnica. N.p., 12 Jan. 2017. Web. 25 Apr.
2017. <https://cleantechnica.com/2017/01/12/10000-volkswagen-diesel-
vehicle-owners-uk-suing-company-scandal/?
utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A
%2BIM-cleantechnica%2B%28CleanTechnica%29>.
Cusick, Daniel, and E&E News. "Wind and Solar Growth Outpace Gas."
Scientific American. N.p., 12 Jan. 2017. Web. 25 Apr. 2017.
<https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/wind-and-solar-growth-outpace-
gas/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A
%2Benergy-and-sustainability%2B%28Topic%3A%2BEnergy%2B
%26%2BSustainability%29>.

Discussion With Partners (Bamisaiye,Olumuyiwa , Saifur Rahman &

Aydin,Zuleyha) On the 3 Articles:
All,
Volkswagen has been sued in the UK by the law firm Harcus Sinclair because of the illegal devices
installed to pass emissions testing. The law firm wants thousands of pounds worth of compensation for
every person affected in the US and about 10,000 people have signed up for the group action case slated
for January 30. The law firms website states that the vehicles in question did not meet the claimed
emissions standards and everyone who purchased a vehicle is entitled to a compensation that will be
determined by the High Court. Sales of the Volkswagen brand in Britain dropped by 7.5% in 2016
despite the overall market rising by 2%. A Volkswagen representative stated that the company would
defend itself in court. Some consumers and lawmakers think the British authorities are slow acting
because criminal charge filings and compensation requests have not yet been initiated against
Volkswagen. Last year a Spanish court ordered a 5,000 payment in a similar case. Volkswagen
executive Oliver Schmidt was also arrested in the US on conspiracy charges linked to the emissions
scandal. The law firm has a very good chance of winning compensation for everyone who purchased a
vehicle because of the trend of the previous legal decisions. Volkswagen will try to minimize the
payments they need to make.

Thanks,
Olu

All,
A new report from the Us department of energy showed that even modest upgrades to the US electric
transmission system could make it possible to source about 35% of the electricity needed by the nation
from wind energy by the year 2050. The potential annual consumer savings could be as high as $3.4
billion dollars which would make this a financially sound investment. Tom Kiernan, the CEO of
American Wind Energy Association wants the Trump administration to allow private investment in
electricity transmission by changing transmission planning and permitting policies. The updates would
create jobs, improve national security, save consumers billions and reduce dependence of fossil fuels.
The report described three expansion scenarios one of which is the addition of four new lines with a
total of 10.5 gigawatts of transmission capacity.

Thanks,
Olu

Hi all
EIA: Wind, solar accounted for 60% of new US generating capacity in 2016

This article nearly same to the previous article.Of the 2016 renewable additions, nearly 60% were
scheduled to come online during the fourth quarter. Renewable capacity additions are often highest in
the final months of the year, in part, because of timing qualifications for federal, state, or local tax
incentives. Estimated fourth-quarter capacity additions for 2016 are based on planned additions
reported to EIA and are subject to change based on actual project schedules. Most renewable generation
comes from the Western census division, which accounted for the majority of the hydroelectric (63%)
and solar (77%) generation in the United States in 2016. Wind generation was more evenly spread
across the country with 37% occurring in the Midwest, 35% in the South, 24% in the West, and the
remaining 4% in the Northeast.
Of this capacity, 56% was in the residential sector, 36% in the commercial sector, and 8% in the
industrial sector. Monthly generation from small-scale solar PV peaked in July at 2.1 billion
kilowatthours (kWh).
The distinction between capacity and generation shares is important to recognize. Because non-
dispatchable technologies such as wind and solar facilities generate power only to the extent those
respective resources are available, their capacity factors are typically lower than those of other
resources.

Regards