Simply Lean

"Simple solutions for complex problems"

The Five Steps of Lean Implementation

Step 1: Measure Value

Define value from the perspective of the final customer, in terms of a specific product, which meets the customer's needs at a specific price and at a specific time.

Step 2: Map

Identify the value stream, the set of all specific actions required to bring a specific product through the three critical management tasks of any business: the problem solving task, the information management task, and the physical transformation task. Create a map of the Current State and the Future State of the value stream. Identify and categorize waste in the Current State, and eliminate it!

Step 3: Flow & Pull

Make the remaining steps in the value stream flow. Eliminate functional barriers and develop a product-focused organization that dramatically improves lead-time. Let the customer pull products as needed, eliminating the need for a sales forecast.

Step 4: Empower your people

People who are ignored cause problems. People who are involved solve problems. Engage your people and unleash their creativity to help the business improve.

Step 5: Perfection

There is no end to the process of reducing effort, time, space, cost, and mistakes. Return to the first step and begin the next lean transformation, offering a product, which is ever more nearly what the customer wants.

We have also identified ten defining characteristics of a Lean organization, which we instill into our clients businesses:

1. Performance is continuously improving and there is evidence of this (PDCA)
2. Personal development activities are continuously occurring (Education & Training)
3. There is always Kaizen and Kaikaku for eliminating waste (Muda, Mura, Muri)
4. Individual goals and roles are clearly defined (Hoshin Kanri)
5. The agreed upon rules are strictly followed (Shiketsu)
6. The employees act like business owners (Self actualization)
7. What is going on in the workplace is clearly visible & understandable (Visual Management)
8. Good communications occur daily (Haka meetings)
9. Successes are celebrated frequently
10. The workplace is Safe & looks World class i.e. 5S (Serei, Seiton, Seiketsu, Seiso, Shiketsu)