Article

Starting Up, Growing Up, and Starting Over

In an essay first published in Gemba Walks (2nd Ed) and adapted for the Post, LEI founder and thought leader Jim Womack reflects on the…

by James (Jim) Womack, PhD

Article

Improvement for the Sake of Improvement Means Nothing

"We need to dig deep to understand why we do what we do and question whether it really provides value to anyone." Read the story…

by Dave LaHote

Article

Learning Through Struggle

LEI coach Danielle Blais reflects on one of the most frustrating (and ultimately, most rewarding) coaching moments she's experienced so far in her career.

by Danielle McGuiness

Article

Let Joy Power Your Organization's Flight

Joy is a powerful word in life and, as it turns out, in business too, says Rich Sheridan. A company that discovers the relevant principles…

Article

I'm thinking about outsourcing some administrative activities to be more flexible, but what does lean say about outsourcing?

Dear Gemba Coach: Financial results do not allow me to have excess people. After two years of struggling, I'm thinking about outsourcing some administrative activities…

by Michael Ballé

Article

Kaizen Learning vs. Traditional Problem-Solving

"Lean offers a fundamentally different approach to problem-solving than most traditional companies practice," writes Art Byrne. "Most [traditional] companies delegate important problems to teams of…

by Art Byrne

Article

An Innovative Framework for Designing Better Products and Services – and a Better Future

Because of the enormous “shadow” it casts over the entire enterprise for years, product development literally designs the future of companies, employees, customers, and suppliers.…

by Chet Marchwinski and James Morgan, PhD

Article

We’re installing an andon system – what should we expect?

Dear Gemba Coach: We’re installing an andon system – what should we expect?

by Michael Ballé

Article

Ask Art: The Benefits of Kaizen Learning vs. Traditional Problem-Solving

Kaizen is for learning and doing, says Art Byrne, who points out the benefits of this "learn-by-doing" approach over traditional problem-solving.

by Art Byrne

Article

The Formula for a Successful Management System: LB * OS = MS

In order to reap the benefits of an effective management system it is important that the operating system and leadership behaviors be aligned and consistent,…

by James Morgan, PhD

Article

What Too Many Value Stream Maps Completely Miss

Believe it or not, up to half of all the value-stream maps that cross Drew Locher's desk are missing something extremely important. In his first…

by Drew Locher

Article

Obeya Management: 10 Practical Tips to Create a Command Center for Success 

Failing to manage the interfaces between functional disciplines may be the greatest source of waste, frustration, and failure in product development, according to Jim Morgan,…

by James Morgan, PhD

Article

Let's Celebrate Work

Is your work meaningful or menial? LEI Senior Advisor John Shook challenges us to aim to make all work meaningful by building our businesses based…

by John Shook

Article

The Power of Inspiration

Lean thinker Paige Henry shares a call to action: let’s get our leaders and people to realize “it’s about the think” to prevent problems happening…

Article

Ask Art: How high is up with lean?

Art Byrne explains that continuous improvement really is continuous and that there is no limit to the “up” in lean.

by Art Byrne

Article

Can Lean Succeed in a Strong Labor Environment?

Lean is all about people, says Art Byrne, regarding the question of making lean succeed in a union environment. He argues that if you treat…

by Art Byrne

Article

Learning to Solve Problems By... Wait for It... Solving Problems

A team learns what matters when it comes to problem-solving using lean thinking and practices.

by Josh Howell

Article

What does “separation of human work and machine work” mean?

Dear Gemba Coach: I’ve been trying to learn more about Jidoka and I keep coming across references to “separation of human work and machine work”…

by Michael Ballé

Article

Sometimes Less Lean is Mo' Lean

After seeing a great concert by blues legend Keb' Mo', Brent Wahba reflected on some lean principles embodied in the ways this event delivered such…

by Brent Wahba

Article

Learning to Teach the Soft Side of Lean

If there’s one common theme among virtually any failed effort, it boils to a failure to engage people in the purpose, says Tracey Richardson. That's why…

by Tracey Richardson