What is Lean?

Make No Mistake

Don’t let anyone steer you wrong. Lean is the #1 improvement program in the world.

The only real competition for popularity comes from inaction or weak attempts which rely upon naive trial and error.

In terms of comprehensive programs, the runner up methodology is Six Sigma. It is a great program, but far less popular.

Let’s look closer at how Lean is working, for all types of organizations, in terms of:

1. Foundation
2. Focus
3. Tools
4. Vision
5. Applicability

1. Foundation = Definition and Principles

Define Lean

Lean can be defined as the systematic elimination of waste.

The first key word is systematic – we are not interested in a chaotic scramble.

The second key word is waste – we are not going for a cost cutting frenzy.

It takes a systematic approach to find and eliminate the root causes, which create the waste, found in all organizations.

Any fool can cut costs (and revenue) to zero.

Lean is far more effective than chaotic cost cutting efforts.

Lean Principles

There are 5 principles of Lean. These 5 principles were first articulated in the bestselling book “Lean Thinking” by James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones. The 5 principles are:

1. Specify Value
2. Identify Value Streams
3. Create Flow
4. Leverage Pull
5. Seek Perfection

A principle is a fundamental truth. If you are serious about Lean, then you should be leveraging these principles. If you are not serious, then ignore these principles at your own peril.

One caution is to understand how these fundamental truths are guiding principles while you work to eliminate waste. Unlike many other methodologies, Lean principles are not a sequence of steps, or milestones, you need to accomplish. You can specify value and identify values streams at the same time. You can create flow and leverage pull at the same time.

A fundamental truth is simply something you must do.

2. Focus = Value vs. Waste

Types of Value

Lean views all activities in terms of the type of value they create.

There are 3 types of value:

1. Value Add: Activities which are necessary for meeting customer requirements
2. Business Value Add: Activities which are necessary for meeting other stakeholder requirements
3. Non-value Add: Activities which are not valued by any stakeholder

While it sounds simple, value can be challenging. One customer will value one thing and another will value something else.

Beyond customers, contemporary Lean enthusiasts understand how many other stakeholders value what their organization does. It would be foolish to ignore owners, employees, investors, your local community, and many others.

Types of Waste

Lean is focused on eliminating all types of waste.

The 7 classic types of waste are:

1. Defects
2. Movement
3. Inventory
4. Poor Processing
5. Waiting
6. Over Production
7. Motion

As Lean evolves, two other types of waste are gaining acceptance:

1. Underutilized Employee Capabilities
2. Environmental Waste

Waste can defined as an instance of using or expending something carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose. For Lean enthusiasts, waste is found in those non-value add activities.

3. Tools

There are a large number of tools which are used to systematically eliminate the types of waste.

Some of the commonly used tools include:

• Value Stream Mapping
• Root Cause Analysis
• Standard Work
• Visual Controls
• Mistake Proofing
• The 5S System
• Changeover Reduction

Many of these tools will be used by employees working in teams during Kaizen Blitz events.

Kaizen is Japanese and can be thought of as continuous improvement. Blitz is German for lightning fast. Kaizen Blitz is lightning fast continuous improvement.

4. Vision = Lean Transformation

Everyone is Empowered

A key aspect of the Lean vision is to make a transformation where everyone is empowered to participate in waste elimination projects, problem solving efforts, and continuous improvement activities. In other words, employees make independent decisions and take action as they see fit.

Beyond empowerment, a growing number of leaders see the opportunity to create a better quality of work life for their organizations.

Processes filled with waste do not provide the value sought by customers and other stakeholders. The “work” for people trapped in broken processes is frustrating, exhausting, and unrewarding.

These broken processes are often found at smaller organizations which have grown to the point where tribal knowledge no longer works. You can also find broken processes at larger organizations which have downsized the number of employees, but not the amount of work.

A Lean assessment is an ideal technique for organizations to track their progress with a transformation. It quantifies how the culture is changing as an organization journeys through a transformation. You should measure progress in terms of leadership, knowledge, teamwork, alignment, and results.

Sustainable Organizations

The ultimate objective with Lean Transformation programs is to craft a sustainable organization, which means you are meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future.

This requires creating:

1. A culture where all functional areas are completely committed
2. Alignment from suppliers to customers using proven best practices and emerging trends in relationship management
3. Rock solid support for all value streams in terms of leadership, knowledge, and teamwork
4. Performance and results which meet customer and other stakeholder value agreements

Two key responsibilities for a leadership team are to:

1. Create the vision of a sustainable organization
2. Define a Lean Transformation program as a strategic initiative

5. Applicability = Everyone and our Planet

Lean Transformation for Everyone

Lean is an all inclusive improvement methodology and is growing rapidly in all types of organizations.

You can find success stories in terms of:

• Healthcare Services
• Product Development
• Maintenance
• Human Resources
• Manufacturing
• Customer Service
• Supply Chain
• Sales
• Food Service
• Engineering
• Logistics
• Retail
• Information Technology
• Financial Services
• Field Service
• Marketing
• Hospitality Services
• Sourcing
• You

Lean and Green

The tools for Lean and the tools for Green are being blended to provide a powerful toolkit for Lean and Green.

We define Lean and Green as the systematic elimination of unsustainable practices.

Adding environmental waste to the 7 classic types of waste is a powerful enhancement to the goal of saving our planet. The Environmental Protection Agency defines environmental waste as an unnecessary or excessive use of resources or a substance released to the air, water, or land which could harm human health or the environment.

The most exciting aspect of merging Lean and Green is how organizations are creating a competitive advantage, while at the same time, having a positive impact on our environment.

Summary for “What is Lean?”

Lean has earned the crown as the #1 improvement methodology.

Don’t be fooled by charlatans, who have simply been chaotic cost cutters. These clowns do not understand the principles, or fundamental truths, and the other aspects which make Lean so powerful.

Success comes to those who take a systematic approach to the elimination of waste.

Look for key components such as principles, types of value, types of waste, empowerment, and the focus on creating a sustainable organization.

Mike Loughrin

Mike Loughrin is the CEO and Founder of Transformance Advisors. He also teaches for Louisiana State University Shreveport and is on the board of directors for the Association for Supply Chain Management Northern Colorado.

Mike brings exceptional experience in industry, consulting services, and education. Mike has helped organizations such as Levi Strauss, Warner Home Video, Lexmark, and Sweetheart Cup.

Keeping a commitment to a balanced life, Mike loves downhill skiing, bicycle rides, and hiking in the mountains. See one of his trails of the month at: Little Switzerland.

Want More?

What is Continuous Improvement?

Process Improvement Definitions

Lean Education Standards

Sustainability

Subscribe to our newsletter

Email *

Name *

First

Last

Custom Captcha *

What is 1+3?

Subscribe