1. Catena ® Launch
At OpEx, we not only provide tools, but
solutions that move you into lasting
business improvement.
Catena® Launch from OpEx, is a project-in-a-box package
that presents a low-cost, low-risk solution for organizations
or individuals looking to develop their process improvement
skills and start a journey of change. This package contains a
single license copy of Catena® and a Sony camcorder, along
with everything you need to connect the system and get it
up and running. You’ll also receive 24 hours of e-Training
provided by one of OpEx’s process improvement specialists.
You pay only $3,000 for the Catena® Launch package, but
you’ll make all that back – and probably more – with cost
savings related to your first project that utilizes the OpEx
system. We have so much confidence in Catena® Launch, it
comes with a complete money-back guarantee.
Catena® is a powerful software system that supports process
improvement projects and drives continuous improvement.
It was developed by our process improvement specialists, not
software designers or computer programmers. Therefore, it is
user friendly, with both line managers and change experts able
to learn the system quickly and use its intuitive interface to
achieve immediate positive results.
Catena® allows you to take video footage of your processes in ac-
tion to analyze them in detail. The many built-in analytical tools
aid you in your process improvement projects, including activ-
ity analysis, project management, line balancing, and resource /
capacity planning.
Our step-by-step process is broken into 12 interactive modules
that take you from where you are today to where you want to
be tomorrow.
The Catena® Launch Training was designed using a “Learn Do”
approach. This enables you to successfully implement changes
that recover the cost of our system with the first improvements
you make, guaranteed!
Basic Class Format: Live web-based lecture topics, with appli-
cation exercises and case studies. Each module builds on the
previous one. Virtual instruction will be followed by homework
assignments for each attendee within the context of their self-
chosen improvement project.
“Improving organizations
one process at a time”
810 E. Jackson Street • Medford, OR 97504 • 877- 412- 0888 • 541- 362-3726 • www.OpExSG.com
2. Modules
Module 1 - Introduction to Catena® Improvement System Principles: A Value Stream Approach, 7 Wastes
and Selecting an Improvement Area Tools: VSM (Value Stream Mapping), Prioritization
Summary: Students will become acquainted with Catena®. Matrix
They will learn how to select a high impact area or value Homework: Chose a Project, Complete a Value Stream Map,
stream in their organization for improvement. Once Demand Data, Voice of Customer
selected this area will serve as the focal point of their “Learn
DO” training experience and will be the first area where Handouts: Presentation Slides, Worksheets, Software
improvements will occur. Templates and Examples
Module 2 - Demand Analysis/ Group technology Principles: Customer-centered processes, TAKT Time,
(PQ Analysis) Product families, Pareto analysis, Group
Summary: This module helps students understand what Technology
customers require and how to set the pace. Students learn Tools: PQ Analysis, Video Analysis Matrix
the importance of identifying customer demands and laying Homework: Build a PQ Analysis, Calculate TAKT Time
the proper foundation for all of the principles that will be
applied throughout the program. Handouts: Presentation Slides, Software Templates
Module 3 - Analyzing Your Delivery Systems Principles: 7 Wastes, One Piece Flow, FIFO, Visual
Summary: Once you understand the needs of customers, Management Controls, Right Sized
you learn how to create value in new ways. In this module Tools: Process Flow analysis, Point to Point, Project
students are instructed on the precision involved in detailed Management Toolkit
second-by-second analysis and exactly what it means to Homework: Process Flow Analysis, Point to Point, Complete 1st
eliminate waste from a process. Task Management Sheet, Base Condition Photos
Handouts: Presentation Slides, Example Analysis
Module 4 - Layout Design Principles: Isolated Islands, Customizable Flexibility, Balanced
Summary: With base condition processes analyzed for Distribution of Work, Right Sized Equipment,
waste, a vision for the new process begins to emerge and a Cell Design (reasons for cell configurations)
new design must be created to support the improved value Tools: Equipment List, Layout Template, PQ Analysis,
delivery system. This module introduces layout principles Prioritization Matrix, OpEx Problem Solving
and guides students in preparing a detailed layout design for System
their project area. Homework: Develop Layout
Handouts: Presentation Slides, Example Process Flow Analysis
Module 5 Principles: Visual Management, Balanced Distribution of
Summary: Workstation Design Analysis – Activity Analysis Work, SWIP (Standard Work in Process), Multi
Process Handling
Now that the overall layout has been completed, we will take
a closer look at each work activity along the value stream. Tools: Activity Analysis, Point to Point Diagrams, Video
This is accomplished by first completing detailed Activity Control Matrix
Analysis. Homework: Perform Activity Analysis, Workstation Base
Condition Photos
Handouts: Presentation Slides, Example Activity Analysis
3. Modules
Module 6 - Workstation Design & Standard Work Principles: Standard Work, Visual Management, FIFO,
Summary: With the Activity Analysis completed, students SWIP (standard work in process), Customized
are to design a standardized work area. Standardization Flexibility, Poka Yoke (Mistake Proofing), Multi-
promotes quality through simplicity and consistency. Process Handling, Balanced Distribution of Work
This module leads the student through a comprehensive Tools: Standard work, Visual Management Toolkit,
understanding of Standard Work, preparing a standard work Material Replenishment Labeling System
document and creating a standardized and effective work area. Homework: Design the work areas
Handouts: Slides, Visual Management, Toolkit, Software
Module 7 - Solving reasons for Batching-Applying Rapid Principles: Rapid Changeover, Right Sized Equipment, TPM
Changeover, Total Productive Maintenance Techniques Tools: Changeover Analysis
Summary: Understanding that Batching can be eliminated Homework: Changeover Analysis of a Critical Nexus Process,
usually involves a significant “paradigm” shift. Standing on Basic TPM Plan
the comprehensive body of work by Shigeo Shingo, Hiroyuki
Hirano and others, we introduce tools and concepts that have Handouts: Presentation Slides
revolutionized the way in which we use machines.
Module 8 - Meeting Your Customers’ Needs - Scheduling to Principles: TaktTime, Standard work, Balanced Distribution
Demand of work, Level Loading and Multi-Process
Summary: Once the foundational blocks of Standard Handling
Work are understood, we synchronize the newly developed Tools: Capacity Analysis and Scheduling
processes and activities with customer demand to improve Homework: Develop Schedule
service and increase productivity.
Handouts: Presentation Slides, Example Schedule
Module 9 - Verifying the Business Case for Improvement Principles: Return on Investment (ROI), Project
Summary: With your analysis and design completed, it is Management
imperative that you understand and are able to articulate the Tools: Project Summary, ROI Work Sheet
benefits of proposed improvements prior to implementation. Homework: Complete Project Summary Sheet and ROI Work
Sheet
Handouts: Presentation Slides, Example of Documents
Module 10 - Implementation–Project Management and Principles: Change Management, Project Management, 5S,
Change Management Creating a Bias for Action, Rapid Cycle Change
Summary: This modules ensures that good “Least Waste Tools: Material Replenishment Label System, Task
Way” design doesn’t get put on the shelf . We introduce Management List, OpEx Problem Colving,Cross-
principles that enable your organization to go from concept Training Matrix
to reality using a deployment methodology and bias for Homework: MRLS, Equipment List, Project Management
action to manage the project to successful completion.
Handouts: Presentation Slides
4. Modules
Module 11 - Leadership Metrics and Dashboards – Principles: Performance Measurement, Role of the leader,
Maintaining Standard Performance through Performance Project Key Metric
Measurement Tools: Process Control Boards, Day by Hour, Month
Summary: Taiichi Ohno, the founders of Toyota’s by Day, Downtime tracking, MBWA, Leadership
Legendary Production System, is often quoted as declaring: engagement, Standard Work, Cross-training
“Without a standard, there can be no improvement”. Putting Matrix
in place a mechanism to ensure performance to Standard Homework: Building Performance Measurement System
Work and Rapid Illumination of failures to meet standards
are central to this module on Performance Measurement. Handouts: Presentation Slides, Example Assessment
Module 12 - Continuing the Process Improvement Journey Principles: Continuous Improvement, Geometric
Summary: At this point in your training, you should be Progression, Organizational Support Structure,
seeing tangible improvements in one area within your Employee Engagement
organization and have a working knowledge of a powerful Tools: Operational Audit, Project Summary Sheet,
tool set that will serve as an engine for continuous OpEx Assessments
improvement. In this module you will learn some keys Homework: OpEx Operational Assessment
in developing a roadmap to accelerate improvements
throughout the organization. Handouts: Presentation Slides, Example Assessment
Features of the Training Program
Training Time
• hours per week for 12 weeks at no extra charge.
2
• dditional virtual or web based support hours can be
A
added at any time.
Money Back Guarantee
When correctly applied, these principles will yield improve-
ments that far exceed the cost of the software and training.
Because of this, we are extending the following conditional
money back guarantee: If a class attendees who completes the
training modules, homework assignments and implementa-
tion changes, but does not realize a cost saving greater than
the system purchase price, they will be refunded the price of
the Catena® software system and training.
“Improving organizations
one process at a time”
810 E. Jackson Street • Medford, OR 97504 • 877- 412- 0888 • 541- 362-3726 • www.OpExSG.com