Lean Six Sigma tools for a Glovebox Glove Integrity Program: Part II: Output metrics

The Glovebox Glove Integrity Program at the Los Alamos National Laboratory Plutonium Facility (TA-55) was developed to minimize and/or prevent glovebox glove events, i.e., loss of confinement of the glovebox through an unplanned opening in the glovebox glove. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) established the Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma business practices (LSS) to effectively improve administrative and engineering controls and work processes. One tool used in LSS is output metrics: outcomes that are significant to the TA-55 management or an external regulator; when out of control, these outcomes usually have high and adverse consequences for the organization and are difficult to mitigate. The benefit that management receives from using output metrics consists of identifying statistically significant variations (trends) that can be used in decision-making to improve processes. Managing with output metrics allows the work force to understand the alignment between individual work and the strategic goals of management. This paper discusses performance indicators assessed by the use of output metrics, provides examples of output metrics, and shows how managers use the results to make decisions. This effort contributes to the LANL Continuous Improvement Program by providing information that can be used to improve operational safety.