Welcome To The Future State Training Courses

This program provides training and education that optimizes company performance designed to generate results in areas of problem-solving, flow improvement, quality improvements, waste and cost reduction necessary to achieve and sustain operational excellence. Participants will strengthen their technical knowledge and gain the competence to create positive change for their organization through sustainable improvement.

Here are all of the course listings that we offer to help participants strengthen their technical knowledge.

Operational Excellence Fundamentals

These courses consist of core competencies that need to be in place.

Operational Excellence: Finding Hidden Opportunities in Your Organization (8 hours)

This workshop will describe what operational excellence is and in doing so, will show participants how to uncover hidden opportunities within their organization. The focus of this course is to give participants a basic understanding of operational excellence and the conditions necessary to create a high performing organization. Topics covered include the roles of leadership and customer focus, how to measure and establish the correct performance metrics, how to define value from the perspective of the customer, how to create a stable and capable delivery system, and how to identify initiatives that could achieve a 20-25% productivity improvement with the current workforce.

Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis Overview (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to review and give participants the basic concepts of problem-solving and root cause analysis. The course helps personnel understand the problem-solving process and how to use it to define the problem, analyze the problem, develop a plan to fix the problem, and implement the solution and conduct proper follow-up to ensure that the solution solved the original problem.

Introduction to Waste Reduction (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants an understanding of the different types of waste in an organization. Participants will gain a basic understanding of the methods on how to identify and eliminate waste.

Standard Work & Process Mapping (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants knowledge of how to develop a process map by understanding the process and its associated inputs as well as outputs. Participants will gain an understanding of how to develop a process map, how to identify potential process improvements, and how to convert the process map into standard work.

Operational Excellence Core Tools

These courses are the application portion of the Operational Excellence Fundamentals topics.

Principles of Lean Manufacturing Workshop with Simulation (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants a basic understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles used to drive company improvement efforts. The participants will gain a basic understanding of various Lean methods, their purpose, and the problem that each tool is designed to solve.

Value Stream Management (12 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants a basic understanding of value streams and how to define and identify improvement that will improve the overall performance of the company. The participants will gain an understanding of how value is defined from the perspective of the customer, how to document, how value is currently created, and what changes can be made to improve customer value. Participants receive an introduction to Value stream mapping techniques used to document and communicate future improvements.

Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis (12 hours)

The focus of this course is to review and give participants the basic concepts of problem-solving and root cause analysis. The courses are designed to help participants understand the problem-solving process and how it is used to define the problem, analyze the problem, develop a plan to fix the problem, and implement the solution and conduct proper follow-up. Problem-solving methods offered include:

  1. 8D
  2. PDCA
  3. A3
  4. DMAIC

Workplace Organization (5S) & Visual Management (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to review and give participants the knowledge of how to implement and sustain the 5S methodology, including Sort, Set-In-Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. The course helps participants understand the 5S process and how it to use it to improve employee productivity by eliminating the time searching for information, materials, tools, and other things that are required for employees to complete their work.

Changeover Reduction (SMED) (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to review and give participants the basic concepts of how to significantly reduce changeover time utilizing the Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED) methodology. The course helps participants understand the SMED process and how to use it to document the current changeover process, analyze the changeover by identifying wastes, internal and external tasks of the changeover process. Participants will also learn when it is appropriate to reduce changeover time and how to tie the actions to overall improved company performance.

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to review and give participants the basic concepts of how to significantly improve overall process effectiveness using Total Productive Maintenance techniques. The course is designed to help participants understand the elements of the TPM process and how it is used to reduce downtime related to breakdowns, extend the life of equipment by reducing accelerated wear, and improving the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) by improving availability, performance, and product quality.

Kanban Using Pull Replenishment (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants a basic knowledge of how to establish an effective Kanban system. Participants will gain an understanding of the elements of the replenishment cycle, how to properly size the Kanban, how to implement Pull techniques, and how to incorporate visual management to properly manage the Kanban system.

Error Proofing (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants an understanding of the concept of zero quality control (ZQC). This course will review the four elements of ZQC and the three approaches to inspection. The participants will gain an understanding of the use of error-proofing techniques to regulate the process and different methods of error-proofing a process so the process cannot be performed incorrectly.

Effective Kaizen Events (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants an understanding of how to properly identify, plan, and execute an effective Kaizen event. Participants will gain an understanding of the process steps to run an effective Kaizen event and establish the tools to sustain the improvement.

Cellular Manufacturing (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants an understanding of how to properly design a manufacturing cell. This course helps participants understand how to establish product families, push vs. pull manufacturing, and how to incorporate lean tools such as standard work, pull replenishment, set-up reduction, visual management, and total production maintenance to achieve successful manufacturing cells.

Quality System Fundamentals

These courses consist of core competencies that need to be in place.

Quality System Executive Overview (4 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants an understanding of the necessary conditions to implement and maintain an effective quality management system. This course is designed to help participants understand the foundational elements to achieve world-class quality as well as leadership’s role in establishing, maintaining, and improving the quality system’s performance.

Quality System Fundamentals for the Non-Quality Professional (4 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants an understanding of the fundamentals of a formal quality management system. Areas to be covered include the importance of customer focus, leadership involvement, quality planning, quality assurance, and quality improvement. An integral part of the formal quality management system includes the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle along with the seven basic quality management principles.  Additionally, the course will discuss risk-based thinking and the importance of identifying internal and external risks to the organization along with methods for reducing risks.  This course is ideal for those that are responsible for the internal processes within an organization accountable for delivering what is needed and when it’s needed along with the correct quality to either internal or external customers. Departments that should attend include Human Resources, Finance, Operations, Engineering, IT, and Sales and Marketing.

Quality Management System Internal Auditor (24 hours)

These courses prepare auditors to be able to conduct an effective audit by understanding the audit requirements, being able to properly prepare, conduct, report, and close out an audit. Training is offered on the following standards:

  1. ISO 9001-2015

  2. AS9100 rev D

  3. IATF 16949-2016

  4. ISO 13485-2016

Blueprint Reading and Basic Math (28-32 hours)

The focus of this course is to strengthen the blue print and schematic reading skills as well as strengthen math skills of shop personnel, operators, engineers, and managers. The course helps those who are using blue prints and/or schematics to make decisions and to help solve problems. Additionally, the math portion of the course will help those who are using data to make decisions and those using the data to help solve problems.

Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis Overview (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to review and give participants the basic concepts of problem solving and root cause analysis. The course helps personnel understand the problem-solving process and how it is used to define the problem, analyze the problem, develop a plan to fix the problem, and implement the solution and conduct proper follow-up to ensure that the solution solved the original problem.

Introduction to Statistics and Process Control (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants an understanding of the concepts of statistics and the use of statistical techniques to manage, control, and improve processes. Participants will learn the different sources of variation and techniques to identify and reduce process variation. Participants will also learn how to develop and interpret a control chart to and to identify out of control condition.

Metrology and Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (4 hours)

The focus of this course is to review and give participants an understanding of the concepts of proper gaging techniques and an understanding of gage repeatability and reproducibility. Participants will learn the concepts of calibration, true value, measurement error and the difference between precision and accuracy. Participants will gain an understanding of how to conduct a gage R&R study along with how to interpret the results, identify, and reduce measurement variation.

Quality Management System Core Tools

These courses are the application portion of the Quality System Fundamentals topics.

GD&T – Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance (8-12 hours)

The focus of the courses is to give participants the competency in the areas of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T). This course prepares participants to be able to effectively read and interpret technical drawings, to apply the ASME Y14.5-2009 standard to design, and to understand the inspection process and checks on part suitability.

APQP – Advanced Product Quality Planning (4 hours)

The focus of this course is to review and give participants the basic concepts of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) process. The course is designed to give participants an understanding of the 5 phases of APQP, including how to create a Product Quality Plan, an understanding of Design and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA / PFMEA), and how to develop a Quality Control Plan.

PPAP – Production Part Approval Process (4 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants the basic concepts of Production Part Approval Process (PPAP). The course prepares participants to understand the PPAP process requirements as well as understand the PPAP submission and approval process.

PFMEA – Process Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to review and give participants the basic concepts of how to identify, document, and reduce the risks associated with process failure modes. The course helps personnel understand the PFMEA process and how to use it to define potential risks, analyze the risks, develop a plan to reduce the risks, and implementation of a risk reduction plan along with conducting proper follow-up.

MSA – Measurement System Analysis (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to review and give participants an understanding of the concepts of measurement system analysis. Participants will learn the concepts for assessing, measuring, and improving the reliability of the measurement system, including measurement bias, measurement linearity, and measurement repeatability and reproducibility.

SPC – Statistical Process Control (8 – 16 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants an understanding of the concepts of statistics and the use of statistical techniques to manage, control, and improve processes. Participants will learn the different sources of variation and techniques to identify and reduce process variation. Participants will also learn how to develop and interpret a control chart and to identify out of control conditions.

Change Management Professional

These courses consist of core competencies that need to be in place for the change management professional.

Creating and Sustaining a Quality Culture with Accountability (16 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants an understanding of how to create and sustain a ‘Zero Defects’ culture. Participants will gain an understanding of how quality can be achieved thru the development of processes, which are defined, tested and managed by designing quality into the process, along with a toolset to collect data and provide a closed-loop feedback mechanism. The course will define the necessary conditions to create a quality culture to achieve a predictive quality system versus traditional inspection-based quality. Participants will learn how to build accountability into a process to establish the correct behaviors to support a zero defects mentality.

Lean Planning for Managers (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants the basic understanding of Lean techniques, how to properly plan and implement improvement efforts. The participants will gain a basic understanding of the Hoshin planning process, how to properly define objectives and communicate those objectives to the organization. Participants will develop an understanding via the use of meetings and interactions, how to ensure the bidirectional flow of goals, feedback, and other information throughout the organization.

Project Management using Critical Chain (12 hours)

The focus of this course is to review and give participants the basic concepts of Critical Chain Project Management (CCPMP) techniques to manage projects effectively. The course helps personnel understand the CCPM methods and use them to manage projects in a multi-project environment. Participants will develop and understanding on how develop a project network diagram, how to determine task and resource dependency, how to effectively assign task times and determine the critical path of a project.

Introduction to the Thinking Processes (16 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants and understanding of critical thinking skills necessary to effectively manage change in an organization. The session will focus on techniques to verbalize and document a conflict and how to effectively break and resolve a conflict to achieve win-win solutions. Topics covered in this session will include developing a current reality tree, developing injections to break conflicts, developing a future reality tree, and techniques for achieving employee buy-in.

Introduction to Supply Chain Excellence Workshop with Simulation (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants the basic understanding of supply chain excellence and the conditions necessary to create a high performing supply chain. Topics covered in this course include: the roles of leadership and customer focus, how to measure and establish the correct performance metrics, how to create a stable and capable supply chain, and how to identify initiatives that could achieve improved supply chain performance by having the correct inventory at the right place at the right time.

Quality Inspector/Technician

The quality technician program offers quality assurance courses that provide students with the analytical skills and statistical techniques to monitor, inspect and test products and manufacturing processes.

Blueprint Reading, GD&T, and Shop Math (40 hours)

The focus of this course is to strengthen the blue print and schematic reading skills, give participants the competency in the areas of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) as well as strengthen math skills of shop personnel, operators, engineers, and managers. The course is designed to help those who are using blue prints and/or schematics to make decisions and to help solve problems as well as prepare participants to be able to effectively read and interpret technical drawings. Additionally, the math portion of the course will help those who are using data to make decisions and those using the data to help solve problems.

Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis Overview (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to review and give participants the basic concepts of problem solving and root cause analysis. The course helps personnel understand the problem-solving process and how it is used to define the problem, analyze the problem, develop a plan to fix the problem, and implement the solution and conduct proper follow-up to ensure that the solution solved the original problem.

Introduction to Statistics and Process Control (8 hours)

The focus of this course is to give participants an understanding of the concepts of statistics and the use of statistical techniques to manage, control, and improve processes. Participants will learn the different sources of variation and techniques to identify and reduce process variation. Participants will also learn how to develop and interpret a control chart to and to identify out of control condition.

Metrology and Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (4 hours)

The focus of this course is to review and give participants an understanding of the concepts of proper gaging techniques and an understanding of gage repeatability and reproducibility. Participants will learn the concepts of calibration, true value, measurement error, of the difference between precision and accuracy. Participants will gain an understanding of how to conduct a gage R&R study along with how to interpret the results and identify and reduce measurement variation.