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M Terms

Machine Cycle Time

Machine cycle time is the time a machine actually requires to produce one unit of output.

Machining Time / Machine Time

Machining time is the time when a machine is actually processing something. Generally, machining time is the term used when there is a removal of unwanted material.

Manager

A manager is a person in a formal position of authority, generally responsible for guiding a team or process towards an established goal.

Marketing

Marketing is the combination of art and science used to determine which products or services a customer will buy, and then crafting a message to make those offerings more appealing.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Abraham Maslow (1908-1970), is a psychologist made famous by his “Hierarchy of Needs”.

Master Black Belt

A Master Black Belt is an individual who has been certified to train other black belts. Black belts are the trainers and continuous improvement team coaches for a company.

Mean (Average)

The average or arithmetic mean (commonly just called the mean) is one of the most common measures of central tendency of a set of data.

Measure Phase of Six Sigma / DMAIC

Six Sigma is based on the DMAIC cycle. DMAIC stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control, and is a step-by-step approach to solving large problems.

Median

The median is the point at which there are the same number of values above it as there are below it. This can apply to a sample, a full population, or distribution curve.

Meetings

Meetings are a gathering of more than one person to discuss a specific topic. Well planned meetings have an agenda.

Memory

What did you have for breakfast last Tuesday? How many eggs are left in your refrigerator?

Mentor

A mentor is an experienced, wise counselor. The mentor must be trusted by the student.

Metrics

Metrics are the measurements that companies use to help a team meet its goals. Metrics are formal. They should be clearly defined and tracked regularly.

Micromanagement

Micromanagement is the act of giving overly excessive instructions to employees. It tends to reduce the effectiveness of an organization for a variety of reasons.

Milestones

Milestones were originally the stone markers along a route that told travelers the mileage. In modern times, milestones serve the same function for projects.

Milk Run

In logistics, a milk run is where a customer has a single vehicle visit a series of suppliers to pick up materials. In traditional shipping, the reverse is true. Vendors deliver to their customers.

Mistake Proofing

Mistake proofing devices, also called poka yokes, are the most effective way to improve quality. In a nutshell, a product (or process) is designed in which a mistake is impossible to make.

The mode is the number which appears most frequently in a set of numbers. For a finite data set, as in a sample of measurements, the mode would be the number that appears the greatest number of times.

Modelling

As part of your continuous improvement efforts, you will need to experiment, and that means making models.

Monuments

Lean operations strive to move materials through processes in the smallest quantity possible. As a value stream approaches one piece flow, inventory tends to drop and productivity rises.

Moonshine Shop

The moonshine shop is a team in Lean manufacturing environments that specializes in pushing the envelop of what the company is doing in continuous improvement.

Morale

Morale is simply the attitude you have about work. Good morale means people are satisfied with their jobs and are willing to commit to the success of the company.

Motion Waste Extended Term

Learn more about Motion Waste

Motivation

Learn more about Motivation

Motorola

Motorola is the birthplace of Six Sigma. It was conceived by Bill Smith, an engineer at the company, in 1986.

Muda (Waste)

Many Lean terms can trace their origins to Japan. Muda is one of those terms. It really translates to “wasteful activity”, but in common practice most people equate muda to waste.

Mura

Mura is one of three Japanese terms meaning waste. The others are muda, the traditional form of waste in which resources are not effectively used, and muri, meaning overburden or overexertion.

Mura, Muri, Mura

Like many Japanese terms surrounding continuous improvement, there are several slight variations of translations of these three terms.

Muri

Muri is a Japanese term for a specific form of waste. It means unreasonableness or overexertion. It is often referred to with two other Japanese terms.

Murphy's Law

Murphy’s law has been stated in various ways, but essential boils down to “If something can go wrong, it will.”