🎅✨ Here’s the problem: Santa’s operation defies all logic. One night. Billions of deliveries. Zero defects. A global supply chain that never misses a deadline.

So…what if Santa is an industrial and systems engineer?

In this festive special of Problem Solved, IISE members and volunteers share short, creative voice memos imagining how Santa’s North Pole operation uses IE/ISE tools—from logistics optimization to quality management, ergonomics, capacity planning, predictive analytics, Just-In-Time systems, continuous improvement, facility layout, human factors, and more.

You’ll hear six fun, clever, and surprisingly insightful takes on Santa’s world-class system—including:
 🎁 Why Santa’s naughty-or-nice list is really a data governance process
 🎁 How his workshop rivals Amazon
 🎁 How ergonomics keeps the elves injury-free for 500+ years
 🎁 Why Santa’s sleigh route is the ultimate Traveling Salesman Problem
 🎁 Lean Six Sigma at the North Pole 
 🎁 And—what the Grinch, Jack Skellington, and Santa can teach us about operations

Then we wrap it all up with a special story from IISE CEO Don Greene, who shares the tale of the Christmas Eve when Santa called IISE for help…and how industrial engineers saved the holiday.

Whether you’re an ISE, a student, a Santa enthusiast, or someone who loves a good systems-thinking twist, this episode is full of joy, clever insights, and holiday magic—the ISE way.

🎄 Happy Holidays from all of us at IISE and Problem Solved!

Thank you to our guests who shared their creativity with us! Ali Anderson, Gordon Quach, Kristine Dungo, Madeline Shoot, Laura Albert, Ashley Benedict, and Don Greene!

 🎧 Listen now, share with a colleague, and spread some IE cheer.

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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast or sponsoring an episode? Email egrimes@iise.org