Diploma in Kaizen, SMED and Continuous Flow
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in Kaizen, SMED and continuous flow. 8 modules covering ISO 18404:2015, UNE-EN ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 22400-2, with Siemens Plant Simulation, FlexSim and Microsoft Visio for VSM, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Apply lean principles and value stream mapping.
Lead kaizen events using the A3 method and PDCA.
Reduce changeover times with the SMED methodology.
Design balanced cells and continuous flows.
Implement pull systems, kanban and production levelling.
Use support tools such as 5S, TWI and visual management.
Plan a sustainable lean transformation.
Who it's for
- Lean engineers driving flow and waste reduction.
- Continuous improvement managers.
- Kaizen facilitators who run improvement events.
- Production managers looking to cut lead time and inventory.
- Process engineers redesigning cells and changeovers.
- Operations consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 18404:2015 (Lean and Six Sigma competencies)
- UNE-EN ISO 9001:2015 (quality management systems)
- ISO 22400-2 (KPIs for manufacturing operations)
- SAE J4000 (lean implementation in organisations)
- ISO 14001:2015 (environmental management)
- Siemens Plant Simulation
- FlexSim
- Microsoft Visio for VSM
- iGrafx
- Minitab
8 modules
1.1Womack and Jones's five lean principles1.2The seven wastes and unused talent1.3The Toyota Production System1.4Value added from the customer's perspective1.5Takt time, cycle time and lead time1.6Little's Law1.7Current-state value stream map1.8Future-state value stream map1.9Gemba walk and direct observation1.10Workshop: VSM of a product family
2.1Kaizen philosophy and incrementalism2.2Five-day kaizen events2.3PDCA cycle and A32.4Improvement kata and coaching kata2.5Standardised work2.6Suggestion systems2.7Roles: sponsor, facilitator and team2.8Measuring the results of a kaizen2.9Follow-up at 30, 60 and 90 days2.10Practical: A3 report on a real problem
3.1Shingo's SMED methodology3.2Recording and analysing the current changeover3.3Separating internal and external operations3.4Converting internal to external operations3.5Quick fasteners and standardised heights3.6Parallel operations and changeover teams3.7Eliminating adjustments3.8Changeover trolley and prepared kits3.9Changeovers on presses, injection moulding machines and packaging machines3.10Case study: SMED on a plastic injection moulding machine
4.1One-piece flow4.2U-shaped cell design4.3Balancing operations with Yamazumi4.4Standardised work combination4.5Multi-machine and multi-process operators4.6Chaku-chaku and autonomation4.7Layout by product family4.8Flow between processes with FIFO4.9Cell performance indicators4.10Practical: balancing a cell with Yamazumi
5.1Supermarkets and production kanban5.2Supplier and withdrawal kanban5.3Calculating the number of cards5.4Heijunka and the levelling box5.5Choosing the pacemaker process5.6Minimum batch size and EPEI5.7Supply route (mizusumashi)5.8Electronic kanban integrated with the ERP5.9Replenishment signals5.10Lab: simulation of a kanban system
6.15S methodology and audits6.2Visual management on the shop floor6.3Andon and problem response6.4Low-cost poka-yoke devices6.5Standardised work and instruction sheets6.6Training Within Industry (TWI)6.7Basic autonomous maintenance6.8Visual flow indicators6.9Lean in support areas6.10Workshop: 5S audit of a production area
7.1Transformation roadmap7.2Hoshin kanri and goal deployment7.3Lean leadership and daily management structure7.4Resistance to change7.5Digital lean and Industry 4.07.6Measuring lean maturity7.7Lean and environmental sustainability7.8Common mistakes in transformations7.9Success and failure cases7.10Case study: lean diagnosis of a plant
8.1Selecting a product family8.2Current-state value stream map of the family8.3Designing the future state8.4SMED workshop at the bottleneck8.5Designing the cell or flow8.6Pull system and levelling8.7Phased implementation plan8.8Expected results in lead time and inventory8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Siemens Plant Simulation, FlexSim, Microsoft Visio for VSM, iGrafx and Minitab, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: SMED workshops filmed on the shop floor, the redesign of a manufacturing cell, and simulation of kanban systems and supermarkets. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 18404:2015, UNE-EN ISO 9001:2015, ISO 22400-2, SAE J4000 and ISO 14001:2015.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Siemens Plant Simulation, FlexSim, Microsoft Visio for VSM, iGrafx and Minitab, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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