Podcast

Empowering Frontline Operators with Human-Centric Technology: a Conversation with Natan Linder

LEI chats with author and entrepreneur Natan Linder about the potential of software to enable improvement among frontline workers.

by Tom Ehrenfeld

Article

5S Again and Again and Again

Dear Gemba Coach,†I've just inherited responsibility for our 5S efforts in our company. Any suggestions for how I can get the program back on track?

by Michael Ballé

Article

Monozukuri Through Hitozukuri

Michael Ballé reflects on what it really means to "make people before parts" and introduces two more lean terms that just so happen to be…

by Michael Ballé

Article

Why Fundamental Shifts in Thinking Take Longer Than You Think

Think learning the fundamentals of lean thinking and practice is easy? Think again. Deep shifts in thinking will take some time.

by Mark Donovan

Article

Robert Cole's Observations on the Liker-Shook Dialogue regarding Toyota's Quality Crisis

I have previously introduced readers of this column to Robert Cole, Professor Emeritus at Berkeley, former long-time professor at the University of Michigan, and currently…

by John Shook

Article

Ask Art: Aren’t You a Little “Old School” in Your Kaizen Approach To Implementing Lean Thinking?

When you say “kaizen is old school” you may be seriously off track, argues Art Byrne. Focusing on tools like A3 might be popular and…

by Art Byrne

Article

The Dark Side of Concurrent Engineering

One of the fastest ways to reduce development lead time from concept to market is to work concurrently. But as product development coaches Katrina Appell…

by Katrina Appell, PhD and John Drogosz, PhD

Article

The Escalator of Issues

A daily management system with daily performance metrics gives caregivers the sense that managers are really paying attention, that problems really are being addressed, and…

by James (Jim) Womack, PhD

Lexicon Term

Takt Time

Takt time is a calculation of the available production time divided by customer demand. For example, if a widget factory operates 480 minutes per day…

Article

You Need More Smoke Detectors: Countering Firefighting with Leader Standard Work

Excessive firefighting is a major threat to lean transformations - it may seem easier to time-strapped managers, but it does nothing to foster a culture…

Article

Single Week Exchange of Business

You’ve no doubt heard of a single-minute exchange of dies in manufacturing, but what happens when you need to changeover your entire customer base in…

by Josh Howell

Video

Highlighting 100 Years of Innovation in the Work

Comparing Ford’s 1914 and Toyota’s 2012 assembly lines demonstrates how improving work processes is the cornerstone of lean.

Article

The Next Revolution in Software Product Design

Discover how product artisans like Melanie Perkins, Brian Chesky, and Larry Page maintain hands-on leadership to build lasting, influential brands. Learn why scaling product-led companies…

by Sandrine Olivencia

Article

What Should Lean Mean to Us?

Brent Wahba offers lean beginners a few tips for how to be most impactful. "If you are working on how to begin your situational Lean…

by Brent Wahba

Article

Are We "Doing Lean" All Wrong?

"Somewhere in Ohio is a small healthcare management company that is the best Lean company, EVER," says Brent Wahba. Why? "Because they seemed highly unlikely…

by Brent Wahba

Article

Three Steps Toward Lean Culture Change

"Culture change typically isn’t greeted with open arms unless there is a crisis to provide a sense of urgency," writes Erin Urban. "Still, I’ve noticed…

by Erin Urban

Article

Advice from the Gemba: Best Tips for Designing a Work Experience

When designing a work experience, the benefits of having an experienced coach to guide you cannot be overstated. In this installment of Advice from the…

by Lean Leaper

Article

Visualize the Invisible: Connect Improvement Work to Real Business Needs

Reflecting on one of her most powerful learning experiences, Lesa Nichols writes, "It struck me that I hadn’t coached my team explicitly on how to…

by Lesa Nichols

Article

Ask Art: What is the Best Lean Leadership Development Program?

Leaders learn and adopt lean thinking the same way everyone else does: by practicing it. Here are a few ideas that will help you get…

by Art Byrne

Article

Should I be worried that management is buying software for virtual gemba walks?

Dear Gemba Coach: A consultant is selling us “virtual gemba walks” software to schedule gemba visits with a “leader standardized work” checklist and key indicators…

by Michael Ballé