Article

What do I do when key logistics employees are afraid to come to work?

Dear Gemba Coach: What do I do when key logistics employees are afraid to come to work?

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

The Second P in LPPD: Why the Future is About Lean Product and Process Development

Jim Womack, speaking at the Designing the Future summit in 2019, describes the thinking behind lean product and process development -- and why it's the…

by Lean Leaper

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

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

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

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

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

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…

Video

Art of Lean on Problem-Solving, Part 3: Lessons From Martial Arts

In part three of his problem-solving series, Art takes on the techniques (kata) and ways (waza) behind martial arts, revealing necessary coaching practices in the…

by Art Smalley

Article

Jay Johnson, president, Plumbers Supply Company

As part of a continuing series on leading lean transformations, the Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI) interviews executives from a variety of companies to explore the challenges that…

by David Drickhamer

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

Article

Learning From The Sensei Way at Work

Seek perfection by cultivating a daily discipline of mindfulness, whether in lean practice or Buddhist training, writes John Shook in his foreword to a new…

by John Shook

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

Ask Art: What Targets Should We Set When Launching a Lean Turnaround?

Here's why setting results-oriented targets instead of process-oriented targets will doom your lean improvement efforts, says Art Byrne.

by Art Byrne

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

Launching a Lean Transformation: An Aerospace Manufacturer’s Journey with Purpose, Process, and People 

Lean transformation at Re:Build Cutting Dynamics demonstrates the effectiveness of purpose, process, people and foreshadows a revival of U.S. manufacturing.

by Matthew Savas

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

Article

Ask Art: How Does Lean Bring the Customer Directly Onto the Shop Floor?

The lean approach reduces setup times, creates flow, improves quality, lowers cost and drastically shortens lead times, says Art Byrne, who explains how a good…

by Art Byrne