Study plan
5-Lesson Study Plan: Medtronic, Supplier Quality, PDCA, Phase 2, and Sustaining Lean Gains
Create a 5-lesson study plan covering Medtronic context and supplier quality, PDCA as strategy for supplier development, Phase 2 competitive threat and dual facilities, the Golden Triangle elements, and sustaining lean gains using only the indexed case materials.
Lessons in this plan
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1
Medtronic context and why supplier quality matters
Summarize Medtronic Neuromodulation’s business context, supplier base, regulated-product environment, and why supplier development is prioritized around quality and revenue impact.
- 2 Using PDCA as a supplier development strategy at Medtronic Explain how Medtronic applies PDCA in supplier development, including up-front planning, supplier selection and segmentation, cross-functional monthly reviews, and the need for rapid, accurate execution in an FDA-regulated setting.
- 3 Supplier improvement methods: flow, PFEP, and visual supplier management Study the concrete supplier-development practices shown in the Medtronic case: identifying waste through observation, teaching TPS principles, designing leveled single-piece-flow cells, creating a plan for every part, and using visual status and standardized management to track supplier-development work.
- 4 Phase 2 competitive threat, dual-facility challenge, and operating-system redesign Describe the competitive threat from offshore bids, the business case for keeping Medtronic work at Phase 2, and the lean redesign used to absorb added volume from another facility through cells, kanban, hourly replenishment, flexible staffing, and reduced kitting.
- 5 The Golden Triangle and sustaining lean gains Identify the three Golden Triangle elements—standardized work, accountability, and visual control—and explain how the kamishibai system sustained lean behaviors, management support, real-time problem solving, and measurable performance gains at Phase 2.