Article

Why Value-Stream Mapping is Essential to Product and Process Development

Learn about a proven way to help cross-functional teams clearly “see” their work and achieve their full potential.

by John Drogosz, PhD

Article

Think You Know Your Warehouse or Distribution Center? Think Again

Most warehouse and distribution center managers lack the detailed knowledge needed for a lean transformation. Traditional management approaches often result in adding waste to cope…

by David Graham

Article

Lean Accounting Summit Impacts Dissertation

Since 2008, the Lean Enterprise Institute has sponsored the Excellence in Lean Accounting Award to fund scholarships helping pairs of students and professors attend the…

by Chet Marchwinski

Article

The Impact of Social Distancing on Assembly Operations

Take a deep-dive look at how GE Appliances and Herman Miller are working on designing a safe work environment for production employees during the Covid-19…

by John Shook

Book

Welcome Problems, Find Success - Creating Toyota Cultures Around the World

In this book, author Nate Furuta, former chair and CEO of Toyota Boshoku America Inc., shares his decades of experience directly leading the establishment of Toyota…

by Nate Furuta

Article

Ask Art: Is Lean a Good Cost-Reduction Program?

A point-by-point comparison demonstrates why lean thinking and practice is a business strategy, not merely a cost-cutting strategy.

by Art Byrne

Article

I’m struggling to understand exactly what people mean by a “lean system”?

Dear Gemba Coach: I’m struggling to understand exactly what people mean by a “lean system”?

by Michael Ballé

Article

Working on the Management

Effective daily management is still hard to achieve for most organizations, says Jim Womack. But until line managers start tackling problems first hand as they…

by James (Jim) Womack, PhD

Article

Advice from the Gemba: TPS Mythbusting

Despite its fundamental role in a lean transformation, the Toyota Production System is not an easy thing for many to grasp. In this special installment…

by Karen Gaudet, Josh Howell and Matthew Savas

Article

Shouldn't lean focus on solutions, rather than problems?

Dear Gemba Coach: Why is lean so focused on problem solving? Isn’t seeing everything as a problem negative? Shouldn’t we focus on solutions instead? Wouldn’t…

by Michael Ballé

Article

What is leader standard work?

Dear Gemba Coach: Is there such thing as a leader standard work, and, if so, what is it?

by Michael Ballé

Article

Don't Just Go Back--Go Forward...With Kindness and A Little Creativity!

As we all grapple with ongoing changes imposed by the Covid-19 virus, we have reflected deeply, and humbly share the following new ways that will…

by Katie Anderson and Karyn Ross

Article

Think of the best mentor/coach you've had on your lean journey. What did he or she do to help you become a better problem solver?

Whether practical, profound, or humorous, the guidance that your best mentors provided was just what you needed, just when you needed it during your personal…

Article

Value Stream Walk, Management Walk or….Just Walking Around?

Gemba Walks can raise consciousness about problems and the possibilities for dramatic improvements, says Jim Womack. Or they can serve as a means of reinforcing…

by James (Jim) Womack, PhD

Lexicon Term

Value Stream Mapping

Value-stream mapping (VSM) is diagraming every step involved in the material and information flows needed to bring a product from order to delivery. It is…

Article

Lean Lessons from Japan: Day One

This week, LEI is in Japan with 19 eager learners. The purpose of this trip is not just to see Just-In-Time. The purpose is to…

by Lean Leaper

Article

Now is the Time for Resilience and Adaptability!

People and organizations can create the conditions for building their own resilience by drawing from TPS, the Thinking People System, says Sandrine Olivencia. But for…

by Sandrine Olivencia

Article

Lean and "emotional heijunka" in a Time of Pandemic

In this timely reflection, Jim Womack calls for "emotional heijunka": taking a deep breath, identifying the most important problems that must be addressed in a…

by James (Jim) Womack, PhD

Article

Back-to-School Lean: Lunchbox Kanban

Lean thinking is just as impactful on the home front as it is at work. In honor of back-to-school season, LEI Learning Activities Manager Deb…

by Deborah McGee

Article

Lean Thinking for Quicker Police Emergency Response Time

Bob Downing and Erin Magee reflect on the results of a collaborative project they worked on last year when their company was asked by the…

by Robert Downing and Erin Magee-Hall