From chaos to clarity: Simplifying process design with 2P

This session outlines a practical application of 2P (process preparation), a lran method for designing efficient workflows — especially useful during early development stages. Unlike traditional lean tools that improve existing systems, 2P is about creating new processes that are inherently lean from day one. 

2P is particularly useful when:

• Developing a process for a new product or service
• Redesigning an unclear or inefficient existing process
• Addressing chronic operational problems
• Planning new equipment layouts or facility designs

The 2P process involves defining the scope, brainstorming alternatives, evaluating options, simulating the new process, documenting workflows and creating an implementation plan. It ensures that processes are structured in the most efficient way possible, aligning with lean principles to minimize waste and maximize performance. The 2P process empowers teams by providing greater involvement and ownership, reduced frustration from inefficiencies, improved ergonomic and safer working conditions. This session offers practical ideas to strengthen your lean practices and support meaningful improvements across your team or department by illustrating how Clemco is using 2P.

Key learning objectives

1. Discover how 2P enhances cell and department design, creating streamlined, high-performance processes.
2. Gain insights into the seven-week cycle approach, designed to prepare, execute and sustain impactful changes.
3. Explore essential steps — from the seven flows and seven ways to the innovative "beauty contest," ensuring a winning strategy for long-term success.

Company

Clemco Industries Corporation is the global leader in developing and delivering advanced surface preparation blasting and shot peening solutions tailored to meet each customer’s specific needs. Its unmatched understanding of abrasive blasting applications, coupled with its end-to-end approach of discovery, collaboration, development and implementation that the company calls the Ideation 2 Realization™ Process, results in innovative engineered solutions delivered on time and fully supported. Together with its customers, Clemco helps ensure a safer, more productive world. https://www.clemcoindustries.com/

Presenter

Alex Brown is a continuous improvement specialist II at Clemco Industries. Brown has worked at Clemco for a little over four years where she started in shipping/crating, moved into machine building and project assembly. Then, she was promoted to CI specialist at the end of 2022. Brown is well-versed in facilitating rapid improvement events (kaizens), as well as lean tool instruction and the development of people in a lean culture.

Brown oversees Clemco’s four culture teams to help ensure that the company continues to develop and inculcate its amazing culture within its team members.

Brown has been actively involved with the St Louis AME Consortia as a BOD member and attended the AME International Conference in Atlanta.