LEAN - Continuous Process Improvement
Everyday a little up!“Do it right, do it better, do it differently”
LEAN is a deeply rooted philosophy of reflection and continuous improvement. Lean = Learn
“Lean thinking is a total business mindset focused on the elimination of anything in a process which does not add value to the output.
Value is defined by the customer.”


Key Concepts
- Standardization – eg – grouping, colour coding, standard locations, physical workplace set up, naming convention
- Quality at the source – preventing errors, build a culture where “stop” is as important as “go”
- Visual management – eg simple visual indicators Immediate awareness of standard and deviation from standard, correct it before the problem arises
- The 5 s’s – sort, straighten, shine, standardize, sustain – examples – eg household tasks
- Flow – the continuous addition of value. When you create flow, problems surface Pull – do something when it’s needed
- Just in time
- Pull vs push
- Gemba – go and see
- Elimination of waste
- Heijunka – leveling out the work
- Hurry up and wait – go slow to go fast (get it right first!)
- Quality/speed/cost = Golden triangle – All 3 need to balance