Case Study

Lean Design and Construction Project an Extension of Lean Commitment at Akron Children's Hospital

When the Ambulatory Surgery & Critical Care Tower opens in 2015, it will represent a three-year lean design and construction collaboration among builders, architects, trade…

by Tonya Vinas

Case Study

How a Bakery Uses Lean Thinking to Drive Growth

A lean system that runs like clockwork and constant attention to customer service enables Barcelona-based 365.café to achieve the seemingly impossible: supplying 55 bakeries out…

by Roberto Priolo

Article

Ugly Babies, Silent Enemies and Other Short Stories from a Continuous Improvement Conference

Besides the lessons, challenges, and results that belong to a company’s lean transformation, there are personal journeys as well. Here’s a summary of some we…

by Chet Marchwinski

Article

How do you introduce visual management into a product development facility?

Dear Gemba Coach: What steps do you start with to introduce visual management into a product development facility?

by Michael Ballé

Article

Why does visual management at a Toyota plant look so much different than at ours?

Dear Gemba Coach: We have been deploying lean visual management in my company for a while now, and I am troubled because I finally visited…

Article

What do you recommend -- clarify roles and responsibilities first or reengineer the process first and then define R&R?

Dear Gemba Coach: What do you recommend – clarify roles and responsibilities first or reengineer the process first and then define R&R?

by Michael Ballé

Article

How Can Lean Help Respond to Crises?

Although lean might seem fragile to crises, because of low inventories, it’s quite the opposite, says Michael Balle: Lean thinking is about training to solve…

by Michael Ballé

Article

Lead With Respect Shares Tangible Practices That Develop Others, Says Author Michael Balle

Michael and Freddy Balle's book Lead With Respect portrays on-the-job behaviors of lean leaders which can be learned through practice. Michael explains how these can help fulfill…

by Michael Ballé

Article

Coach's Corner: Why Your Development Plans and Obeya Practices Aren't Working - and How to Fix Them

If your development plans and obeya practices aren't working, you're not alone. John Drogosz offers ways to get the most out of the obeya and…

by John Drogosz, PhD

Article

But when should we use design thinking or lean thinking?

Dear Gemba Coach: I read your latest and very interesting Gemba Coach column comparing design thinking and lean thinking. But when should we use each?

by Michael Ballé

Article

I don’t find much about lean strategy in the literature. Where should I look?

Dear Gemba Coach: I’ve been tasked to come up with a presentation on what is a “lean” strategy to our Strategic Planning Group. I don’t…

by Michael Ballé

Article

Why We Believe Tough Times and Opportunity Go Hand in Hand

In this detailed set of suggestions for managing the current challenges posed by Covid-19, Rose Heathcote and the Lean Sensei Women focus on leveraging assets…

by Lean Sensei Women

Article

A Trip to the Dentist That You’ll Enjoy

At AME's annual conference in Covington, KY, two weeks ago, Sami Bahri used his book, Follow the Learner, to base a great one hour keynote,…

by John Shook

Article

Why Practicing Lean Thinking Matters (Even if Your Bosses Don’t Care)

"If your boss doesn't get [lean thinking], don't expect to convince him/her," writes Michael Ballé. "Do expect to get him/her interested if you manage to…

by Michael Ballé

Article

Art of Lean on Work & Waste, Part 7: Defects

Though he's calling the waste of defects the sixth waste in this series, Art Smalley, president of Art of Lean, Incorporated, says you should consider…

by Art Smalley

Article

LEAN = TPS {KAIZEN + RESPECT}

Dear Gemba Coach: In the webinar, you’ve defined LEAN = KAIZEN + RESPECT. Isn’t it simplistic? Is that all there is to it? What about TPS?

by Michael Ballé

Article

Can you implement TPS if management doesn’t accept the fundamental values of the Toyota Way?

Dear Gemba Coach: How can we implement the principles of  TPS if our management doesn’t accept the fundamental values of the Toyota Way?

by Michael Ballé

Article

Why You Need to Map the Extended Value Stream

This case study from the LEI workbook Seeing the Whole Value Stream shows how the practice can help businesses optimize their global sourcing strategy, creating…

by Dan Jones

Case Study

Leveraging Lean to Get the Oil Out

Aera Energy LLC, a California oil and gas company, relies on lean principles to improve key processes, including drilling new wells, repairing existing ones, and…

by Doug Bartholomew

Article

The Most Frustrated Person in Your Company

No, it’s not you. Earlier in my career I spent most of my time down in the front lines of organizations. As time passed, I…

by John Shook