Our military has long utilized the process of debriefing, or a "hot-wash," to examine the lessons learned on the battlefield or training session for improvement and evaluation. Such a look back provides a critical review of one's actions. Here is what columnist Mike Wroblewski learned from a recent kaizen event.

For many, a new year ushers in opportunities for fresh starts. For those hampered by last year's (or the last decade's) clutter, decreasing the mess also can reduce stress.

A group of Ford Motor Company scientists and engineers uses technology and special skills to solve tricky problems in the company’s manufacturing and development facilities.

Companies today must be fast and nimble enough to react quickly to changes in customer demand and do it with little inventory. R. Michael Donovan provides important insights on high inventory levels, and how to reduce them.

Maintenance Reduction 50 Percent, or MR-50, is the latest in a long line of Toyota initiatives aimed at eliminating waste and inefficiency in its plants. To understand MR-50, and what it is and isn’t, you must know all the details, and you must know Toyota. Editor Paul Arnold provides the inside story.