H Heavy
Heavy (H) is an aviation designation used in air traffic control to refer to large aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 300,000 pounds or more. These aircraft require additional spacing during takeoff and landing to avoid wake turbulence affecting smaller planes.
H – High
High (H) in aerospace refers to altitude, pressure, or airspeed that is above the standard operational parameters. It is often used in terms like “high altitude” or “high airspeed” to indicate conditions that require specific attention during flight.
HA – Highways Agency
Highways Agency (HA) is a UK government agency responsible for operating, maintaining, and improving the country’s road network. The agency ensures that highways are safe, efficient, and sustainable for both private and commercial transportation.
Website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/highways-england
HAA – Height Above Airport
Height Above Airport (HAA) refers to the altitude of an aircraft in relation to the airport’s elevation. It is a critical metric in approach procedures to ensure safe landings and is particularly important in non-precision approaches.
HACCP – Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) is a systematic preventive approach to food safety and pharmaceutical safety that identifies and controls biological, chemical, and physical hazards in production processes. It is a critical system in supply chain management to ensure consumer safety.
Website: www.fda.gov/food/hazard-analysis-critical-control-point-haccp
HAD -Highly Autonomous Driving
Highly Autonomous Driving (HAD) refers to advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) in vehicles that enable them to drive with minimal human input. These systems use sensors, cameras, and AI to navigate roads, detect obstacles, and follow traffic rules.
Half-Life of Knowledge
Half-Life of Knowledge refers to the amount of time it takes for half of what you know in a certain field to become obsolete, outdated, or superseded by new information. It’s similar to the concept of half-life in physics (radioactive decay), but instead of atoms, it applies to information and expertise.
In fast-changing fields — like technology, engineering, healthcare, or business — knowledge becomes outdated quickly, meaning professionals must continuously learn and adapt to stay current.
Key Points about Half-Life of Knowledge:
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Not all fields are equal: In fast-moving industries (like AI, cybersecurity, biotech), the half-life can be just a few years or even months. In slower fields (like classical physics or law), it might be decades.
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Accelerating obsolescence: With technology and globalization speeding up, the half-life of knowledge is shrinking in almost every sector.
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Skills decay too: It’s not just facts — technical skills, tools, and methods also become obsolete.
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Continuous learning is essential: Lifelong learning, upskilling, and reskilling have become survival strategies in today’s world.
Hammers
Hammers in lean management are metaphorical tools used to drive continuous improvement initiatives. They symbolize forceful actions taken to eliminate waste, improve processes, and increase productivity within an organization.
Handoffs
Handoffs refer to the transfer of responsibility for a task or process from one person or team to another in lean operations. Efficient handoffs reduce delays, minimize errors, and ensure smoother workflow transitions.
Hanedashi
Hanedashi is a Japanese lean manufacturing term referring to the automatic ejection of parts from a machine after a process is completed. This automation reduces the need for human intervention and increases efficiency.
In simple words: Hanedashi = automatic unloading.
It’s a small but powerful Lean idea, helping to:
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Increase efficiency: Workers don’t have to wait around to unload machines.
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Enable one-piece flow: Parts move smoothly from one process to the next.
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Reduce labor waste: Human effort is used for valuable tasks, not repetitive handling.
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Support Jidoka (built-in quality): Machines can automatically detect issues and eject faulty parts separately if needed.
Example of Hanedashi:
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A stamping machine automatically pushes a completed metal part onto a conveyor belt after each press cycle.
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A molding machine ejects a finished plastic part into a tray without needing a worker to reach in.
The operator can focus on loading new material or inspecting parts, instead of wasting time on unloading every cycle.
Why Hanedashi Matters in Lean:
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Helps separate human work from machine work.
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Frees up operators to manage multiple machines (multi-process handling).
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Improves flow speed while reducing physical strain.
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Minimizes waiting time, which is one of the Seven Wastes (Muda) in Lean.
Hard Savings
Hard Savings in lean management refer to measurable financial savings achieved through process improvements, cost reductions, or waste elimination. These savings are tangible and directly impact a company’s bottom line.
Harm
Harm in the medical field refers to any physical injury, illness, or adverse event caused by medical treatment or other healthcare activities. It is a critical concept in patient safety and risk management.
HAT – Height Above Touchdown
Height Above Touchdown (HAT) refers to the altitude of an aircraft above the runway touchdown zone during the final approach. It is a key metric in precision approaches to ensure a safe and accurate landing.
HAV – Hand Arm Vibration
Hand Arm Vibration (HAV) refers to the vibration transmitted from machinery or hand tools to a worker’s hands and arms. Prolonged exposure can cause health issues such as vibration white finger, making it an important safety concern in the automotive industry.
HAWB – House Air Waybill
House Air Waybill (HAWB) is a document issued by a freight forwarder to a customer as a receipt for goods shipped by air. It contains details about the shipment and serves as a contract between the shipper and the freight forwarder.
Hawthorne Effect
Hawthorne Effect refers to the phenomenon where individuals modify their behavior in response to being observed. In lean management, this effect can influence team performance, as workers tend to be more productive when they know their actions are being monitored.
Hazard
Hazard refers to any potential source of harm or danger in a medical or industrial context. Identifying and mitigating hazards is crucial for ensuring workplace safety and protecting public health.
HazMat – Hazardous Material
Hazardous Material (HazMat) in aerospace refers to substances that pose a risk to health, safety, or the environment. These materials require special handling, transportation, and disposal protocols to prevent accidents and ensure compliance with regulations.
HBCS – High Bandwidth Connectivity System
High Bandwidth Connectivity System (HBCS) in aerospace refers to advanced communication systems that allow high-speed data transmission between aircraft and ground stations. This system is essential for real-time data sharing and enhanced in-flight communication.
HC – Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons (HC) are organic compounds consisting of hydrogen and carbon atoms, commonly found in fuel. In the automotive industry, hydrocarbons are a significant component of vehicle emissions and are regulated due to their contribution to air pollution.
HCCI – Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition
Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) is a form of internal combustion in which the fuel-air mixture is compressed to the point of ignition without the need for spark plugs. It combines the efficiency of diesel engines with the lower emissions of gasoline engines.
HCFC – Hydrochlorofluorocarbon
Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) is a compound used as a refrigerant in automotive air conditioning systems. However, HCFCs are being phased out due to their ozone-depleting properties and are being replaced with more environmentally friendly alternatives.