Rob Stauffer

Rob Stauffer, a program manager with Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, gave a presentation on lean business solutions, as well as "Six Sigma."

"Sometimes the enemy of our progress is our past success," he said.

Stauffer discussed how organizations lose efficiencies through such things as duplication, overprocessing and unnecessary transportation. He also mentioned Six Sigma, which attempts to minimize procedural defects through accountability and measurements.

Stauffer said a big problem is organizations using trial and error to deal with issues after the fact.

He used a leaky pipe analogy to describe what he often sees.

"The loose fittings are the problem, not the puddle," he said.