Article

Leaning Up Baby

Olivia Talman, a former intern at The Lean Enterprise Institute, knew problem-solving was important, but wasn't sold on Lean at first. In her first piece…

Article

Why We Believe that Pull Flows Are Too Often Overlooked

In this incisive series of articles on the essential value of pulled flow, the lean sensei women argue, in the words of Catherine Chabiron, that…

by Lean Sensei Women

Article

Can You Assess Your Way to Lean?

Using assessments to gauge process is both a flawed approach and potential trap, argues Jeff Liker. He suggests a broader and mindful approach for reaping…

by Jeffrey Liker

Article

Ask Art: How Do You Create a Lean Culture?

The author of the best-selling books The Lean Turnaround and The Lean Turnaround Action Guide and former CEO of The Wiremold Company offers in-depth, practical…

by Art Byrne

Article

Which Side Are You On?

Lean is based on developing every person’s kaizen mind, writes Michael Ballé, "not asking them to thoughtlessly apply a best practice that was invented far…

by Michael Ballé

Article

Multiply the Improvers in Your Organization Every Day

Be prepared to commit the time, patience and tenacity to unleash the power of improvement your organization, says Andrew Quibell. He illustrates how to actively…

by Andrew Quibell

Article

We’re being audited on five levels on fifteen topics. I feel that if we actually worked on all these items, the plant would just stop working. Am I missing anything?

Dear Gemba Coach: Our facility is being rated on a “lean maturity” audit. We’re being audited on five levels on fifteen topics, each having multiple…

by Michael Ballé

Article

How to Ensure the Safety of Hospital Staff During the Pandemic

In the seventh and final post of a seven-part series, the Global Lean Healthcare Initiative focuses on keeping staff safe.

by Lean Leaper

Article

The State of Lean 2005

As we enter the New Year, I find my attention turning from the history of lean (as described last month) to the future of lean.…

by James (Jim) Womack, PhD

Article

The Lean Dentist Webinar Follow-Up Questions & Answers

After reviewing all the questions that we couldn’t get to during the webinar with Dr. Sami Bahri, several key themes emerged, such as lean leadership…

by Sami Bahri

Article

Making Your Work Work in the First 90 Days

In your first 90 days as a lean leader, what path will you take to support transformation? Andrew Quibell details the elements of both a…

by Andrew Quibell

Article

The Lean Power Stance

"Yoga is more than the physical movement of postures," writes Rachael McKay, an industrial engineer at lululemon athletica and yogi. "As a result of [practicing],…

Article

What Do Sensei Actually Do?

What do lean sensei do? Take you to the gemba, discuss what the real challenges are, prescribe exercises, teach PDCA, and push you to the…

by Dan Jones

Article

Raised by Toyota: A Question and Answer with Tracey and Ernie Richardson

In this extended interview, Toyota veterans Tracey and Ernie Richardson share how they learned at the source, explain how they apply their lessons widely (including…

by Ernie Richardson and Tracey Richardson

Article

How Do I Address Resistance From Middle Management?

Dear Gemba Coach: Why does middle management resist lean transformations; how can they be brought on board?

by Michael Ballé

Article

Small Batch: Hand-Picked Articles from the Global Lean Community (Vol. 1)

A roundup of the best recent articles and case studies from our friends at Planet Lean - this time from Brazil, Iceland, and Poland.

by Lean Leaper

Article

Lean Transformational Leadership Webinar - Follow-up Q & A and Reading List

During the Transformational Leadership webinar, many of you asked for the list of related books and articles that presenter Jim Luckman cited. He has provided…

by Jim Luckman

Article

The Worst Form of Muda

One of the souvenirs I collect on my visits to different countries is special reasons why lean is impossible in each country.  This is all…

by James (Jim) Womack, PhD

Video

Lean Principles Are the Bread & Butter of this Retail Transformation

Entrepreneurs explain how their chain of bakeries and retail stores used lean continuous improvement to profitably expand, engage employees, and meet growing customer demand for…

by Lean Enterprise Institute

Video

Ask Art: What is the Walk of Shame, and Why Is It Effective?

Take your team on a walk of shame, urges lean veteran Art Byrne. He suggests that you have some fun with it, but ask serious…

by Art Byrne