Optimizing Efficiency with AI: Anyone Can Get Started
With the various and rapidly changing advancements in AI, getting started working with these tools feel daunting, especially for those who are not operating in a tech-centric role, but it does not have to be. Sometimes you just need to see what is possible.
Managers and operators that are responsible for workspaces at manufacturing shop floors, hospitals, or warehouses, are constantly seeking ways to improve by reducing waste through reduction of defects or increase in efficiency. Many large established enterprises have full departments dedicated to continual process improvement, often drawing from tools and processes found in Lean Six Sigma and other Quality Management frameworks. For some of the smaller organizations that don’t have these experts easily at their disposal, especially those that may be operating as lean as they can to begin with, finding the time to even figure out where to get started can be challenging.
This is where AI can help!
I created this custom GPT (Easy LeanGPT) to assist with getting started in identifying what might be possible. This custom GPT is designed to analyze workspaces, such as manufacturing shop floors, identify inefficiencies using Lean methods, and propose digital solutions that optimize operations.How It Works
Easy LeanGPT assists by analyzing images of work areas, providing an overview of what it identifies in the image(s), and then systematically assesses waste using the T.I.M.W.O.O.D.S. framework — Transportation, Inventory, Motion, Waiting, Over-production, Over-processing, Defects, and Skills — and provides recommendations to streamline operations. It then identifies potential technical solutions, creates a rough cost estimate based on known market rates of the location or rates provided by you, and evaluates the ROI over 1, 2 and 3 years.Key Features
Image Assessment
- Analyzes images of work areas to identify workflows, material movement, and process bottlenecks.
- Highlights key processes, workstation arrangements, and potential inefficiencies.
Waste Identification
- Utilizes the T.I.M.W.O.O.D.S. methodology to categorize waste.
- Presents findings in a structured table with observations, cost implications, and optimization suggestions.
Digital Optimization Strategy
- Recommends technology-driven solutions, such as IoT sensors, barcode/RFID tracking, real-time dashboards, and automation software, etc.
- Suggests system integrations with existing systems (e.g., MES, ERP); especially if it is provided in advance as a part of the prompt or answer to the a question.
ROI Evaluation
- Estimates implementation costs and calculates return on investment over 1, 2, and 3-year periods.
- Projects cost savings based on reduced waste and improved efficiency.
Actionable Reporting
- Generates professional reports outlining findings, recommendations, and potential savings.
- Provides basic wireframes and clickable examples to assist with communicating vision and visualizing what might be possible (e.g., mobile apps, dashboards).
- Allows for minor changes to wireframws via Canvas editor.
Holistic Concepting
- Allows you to create individual evaluations using one or more images.
- Allows you to create multiple individual evaluation runs and then create a final overarching project assessment and recommendation.
Why Use This GPT?
This is not meant to replace any professional that works in this space (consultants or internal employees). Even if other functions were added on, it is still something that should be used by experts, but in a way that helps them get to understanding environments and ideating through possibilities easier and faster — a tool in their toolkit.
🔹 Enhanced Efficiency — Identifies and eliminates bottlenecks, optimizing workflow.
🔹 Cost Reduction — Minimizes waste and operational expenses through lean methodologies.
🔹 Digital Transformation — Bridges the gap between traditional manufacturing and smart factory solutions.
🔹 Data-Driven Decisions — Provides detailed insights to help leaders make informed choices.
Lean AI at Scale
Now, think of what your company could do with a fully developed AI product at their disposal. Just image a place where trained specialists could quickly assess workspaces (e.g., image upload via app) with those assessments being pushed into a data lakehouse (for insights) and then into a backlog (e.g., Jira or Confluence) as a business change request (“BCR”) which could then be reviewed and prioritized by upper management each quarter.
Imagine how much easier it would be to understand impact of the current situation as well as decisions made. With enough data retained, AI could even begin to make recommendations based on risk (e.g., de-prioritized BCR’s) or it’s understanding of the overall landscape.
👉 By the way, if you want help designing this, just let me know!
Final Thoughts
The Easy LeanGPT is a great tool for companies looking to optimize process areas, especially by way of technology; however, you can ask it to provide a general assessment without the technical recommendations. By leveraging AI, you can get some quick insights on what is going on before you ever invest any significant time. Whether you are lookin for a way to see how AI can help, or you want to get a rough understanding before consulting with a vendor, or if you just need to identify areas to increase efficiency, this GPT will be a useful tool in your Lean toolkit.
Interested in seeing how this GPT works? Upload an image of your workspace today and get a customized analysis! If you do not have an image to use, I have provided a sample below.
Example: download this image to see how it works — keep in mind this is a rough AI generated image so results may vary.
