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Lean Roundup: How Hoshin Kanri Creates a "Line of Sight"

Like anything that is essential to lean, one must understand how hoshin kanri works from the very detailed, elemental levels of the work of the…

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Embracing Standard Work in Lean Accounting: An Interview with Mark DeLuzio

How standard work catalyzes continuous improvement in lean accounting and finance -- and any other work area.

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Are You Creating the Right Environment?

Turner Construction is working hard to develop the "right environment" in which productive lean inquiry is baked into the working space of each situation their…

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Purpose, Process, People

When evaluating your lean efforts, Jim Womack suggests that you examine your purpose first of all, and then your process and then your people.

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How Lean Thinking and Practice Helped Put Shots in Arms, Part 2: Wind-Down and Reflection

Four overarching operational lessons from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center's successful mass vaccination experience show how lean thinking and practice helps organizations work…

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3 Go-To Ways for Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement Anywhere

To reach a state of endless continuous improvement, executives must lead the company in making a critical leap from management-driven improvements to employee-driven improvements, says…

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Are You Organized for Leadership?

LEI President Josh Howell reflect on a recent learning tour to Toyota and GE Appliances, sharing insights the group gathered about lean transformation.

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Lean Product and Process Development at Scale: Implementing Obeya Across Global Teams

When implementing obeya workplaces globally, an easy trap to fall into is requiring that each location have the same look, feel, and metrics. Steve Shoemaker,…

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Lean Roundup: Respect for People

Respect for People is one of the most abstract and yet most concrete tenets of lean, a guiding principle that informs how people work, coach,…

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Do You Have a Capacity Problem or Flow Problem?

"Sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint the exact root cause of a problem," writes Adam Hillsamer of Arnett Hospital in Indiana, "especially when one is masquerading…

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"We Are Unique"

While many people see Lean as applicable only in limited industries and situations and therefore can’t work in their unique situation, Darril Wilburn argues that…

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The Problem with the US Open

What do Roger Federer, ESPN, and the US Open have to do with problem solving?

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Using Value Stream Management to Better Care for Stroke Patients

"To make value stream management really work, the most significant cause for transformation lay simply in the shifting of team members’ mindsets," writes Lori Smith.…

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Why do you lean guys always focus on shop floor processes? The lack of clarity and focus at headquarters is far worse!

Dear Gemba Coach: Why do you lean guys always focus on shop floor processes? The lack of clarity and focus at headquarters is far worse! 

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How do we solicit feedback from the shop floor without being overwhelmed by the enormous amount of ideas?

Dear Gemba Coach: I think we all know that the "suggestion box" has gone by the wayside.  How do we solicit feedback from the shop…

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How Do I Measure People Development?

Dear Gemba Coach: What is the metric for people development?

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Any thoughts about lean and Industry 4.0?

Dear Gemba Coach: What about lean and digital? Any thoughts? And on Industry 4.0?

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How do I implement standard work in an office environment?

Dear Gemba Coach: I really enjoyed reading your article on the difference between standard work and procedures back in December. It really helped clarify the…

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How big should my lean promotion office be?

Dear Gemba Coach: How large should my lean promotion office be if I want to achieve quickly a lean culture change?

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Is there a lean strategy?

Dear Gemba Coach: My team demonstrated the benefits of kaizen to the CEO who then asked us what our strategy was. Is there a lean…

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