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Lean Business-IT Integration, Part Two: Obstacles to Value-Stream Transformation

In this, the second of a five part series, LEI faculty member Steve Bell offers a framework to help overcome the common obstacles to a…

by Steve Bell

Article

Developing PDSA Capabilities

Improvement kata and A3 management have become popular ways for developing and practicing plan-do-study (or check)-act capabilities. What’s the connection between them? When do you…

by Karen Martin

Article

No Really, Go to the Gemba

LEI coach Danielle Blais explains why it's so important for lean coaches, leaders, and all managers to regularly visit the gemba (the place where the…

by Danielle McGuiness

Article

Will changing the standard for supervisors' morning gemba walks make them pay more attention?

Dear Gemba Coach,  We have a standard gemba walk for supervisors to check their areas every morning. I’ve noticed that after a while, they tick the…

by Michael Ballé

Article

Lean Financial Planning – How well does your budget serve its purpose?

How well does your budget serve its purpose? Asking this question can lead to a rich and revealing discussion with operational and finance teams alike.…

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Article

Create Profitable Value Streams

Why does lean product development focus on building profitable value streams? LEI Senior Advisor John Shook explains in this month's Design Brief Contributor's Corner.

by John Shook

Article

How Toyota Built its Culture Around the World

A new book takes a deep dive into a more effective way for senior leaders to manage talent to consistently achieve objectives -- and continually…

by John Shook

Article

Continually Improving the Strategic Planning and Execution Process

Bill MacPherson, managing director of Mercer Celgar, a division of Mercer International, describes how adopting hoshin kanri catalyzes and ensures the achievement of breakthrough objectives.…

by Patricia Panchak and Patricia Panchak

Case Study

Becoming – and Developing -- More Effective Leaders

Bill MacPherson, managing director of Mercer Celgar, a division of Mercer International, shares how adopting hoshin kanri helps transform how leaders lead and develop their…

by Patricia Panchak

Article

Addressing the Labor Shortage by Innovating the Work

Learn how a restaurant is working to attract and retain workers by improving the work inside their commissary.

by Josh Howell and Matthew Savas

Article

Integrating Finance into Operational Kaizen: The Operational Leader’s Perspective

Two lean practitioners explain how and why they include accounting and finance teams in all continuous improvement efforts.

by Mike DeLuca

Article

Transforming Your Organization with Lean Thinking and Practices

This brief animation offers a guide to the five fundamental equations that help lean practitioners understand — and execute — a lean transformation.

by John Shook

Article

The Lean Community and the Second “P”

The second “P” in lean product and process development or LPPD is as important as the first “P.” At least it should be. But as…

by James (Jim) Womack, PhD

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Administration & Support

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Lexicon Term

Material Handling

Moving necessary materials through a production process within a facility. In a lean production system material handling does much more than just deliver materials. A…

Article

You Gotta Have Wa

In July, just prior to the Major League All Star break, I introduced you to The Mental ABCs of Baseball. Now that the pennant races…

by John Shook

Article

The End of the Beginning

NUMMI closes today. The GM-Toyota joint venture assembling motor vehicles in California lasted 25 years - a very long time for a joint venture -…

by James (Jim) Womack, PhD

Article

Why Does Our Recognition Program Just Feel So Bad?

Dear Gemba Coach: My company has put an employee of the month program and other related efforts to reward good behavior. So why does it…

by Michael Ballé

Article

A Simple Question Without An Easy Answer

Our understanding of Lean (and how best to talk about what it is with others) evolves over time, just like our capability to practice it.

by Steve Bell