Case Study

Lean Thinking Therapy Spreads Beyond the Shop

Medtronic Xomed expanded the lean transformation beyond the shop floor to areas such as international distribution, product development, and domestic shipping. Along the way, company…

by Chet Marchwinski

Article

The Post COVID Crisis Supply Chain: a Time to Rise (Part 1)

In a two-part call to action, LeanCor Supply Chain Group CEO Robert Martichenko says that now is the time for public and private sector leaders…

by Robert Martichenko

Article

LEI In the News: Leading Trade Journal Asks How Lean Principles Performed During the Pandemic

Lean management principles didn’t fail during the pandemic; some companies failed to execute them correctly, especially the practice of just-in-time production, as LEI Senior Coach…

by Mark Reich

Video

Follow-up Q & A to the Webinar “Getting to Everyday Improvement: How to Connect the Science and Culture of Problem Solving”

A follow-up Q&A with presenters Judy Worth and Beau Keyte for the Lean Enterprise Institute's webinar on Getting to Everyday Improvement.

by Beau Keyte and Judy Worth

Article

Yes, Lean is a Strategy!!!

Is lean a strategy? Absolutely YES, says lean author and thinker Orry Fiume. Replying to feedback on his new book, Orry says that strategy is…

by Orest (Orry) Fiume

Article

Which is best for a lean environment, a U-shaped cell or assembly line? Why?

Dear Gemba Coach: Which is best for a lean environment, a U-shaped cell or assembly line? Why?

by Michael Ballé

Article

Ask Art: Why Are Leaps of Faith Involved in a Lean Turnaround?

Leaps of faith are not incidental associations with a lean turnaround; they are a basic requirement, argues lean veteran Art Byrne.

by Art Byrne

Case Study

Herman Miller’s Experiment in Excellence

With initial support from the Toyota Supplier Support Center, Herman Miller cultivates experimental thinkers who make process improvements every day. Their work has yielded dramatic…

by David Drickhamer

Article

Are You Pulling?

Dear Gemba Coach:  We’ve made a substantial effort in training all our operators to standardized work (SW) by deploying Training Within Industry(TWI) principles across all our…

by Michael Ballé

Article

Was NUMMI a Success?

By now you know that Toyota made its much-anticipated decision to close NUMMI. Many of my friends are saddened by the turn of events. While…

by John Shook

Article

Lean in the Time of Coronavirus

While lean offers no direct countermeasure to tackling the current coronavirus health challenge, Jim Womack points out in this podcast that key lean practices such…

by Tom Ehrenfeld and James (Jim) Womack, PhD

Case Study

Toothbrush Plant Reverses Decay in Competitiveness

Faced with competition from plants in China and Mexico, Oral-B's Iowa City plant was slated for closure. But the rapid introduction of a lean system,…

by Chet Marchwinski

Article

Why do you lean experts still revere the Toyota Production System? Hasn't any one come up with something better?

Dear Gemba Coach,Since Toyota formulated TPS 50 years ago, many other companies have come up with their own business systems ñ I have been taught…

by Michael Ballé

Article

Ask Art: How is Lean A Time-Based Strategy?

Operating lean is the best way to compete on time, says Art Byrne, who notes that every time you remove waste you shorten the time…

by Art Byrne

Article

“Simple Ain’t Easy”

The essence of lean is simplicity, argues Orry Fiume, a theme that applies not only to great organizations, but great music and anything else important.

by Orest (Orry) Fiume

Article

As CEO, how do I get my management team to support the lean effort?

Dear Gemba Coach: As a CEO, lean has enabled me to renew our company’s profitable growth, so I love it. But getting my management team…

by Michael Ballé

Article

How do I start to learn "real lean" when my company practices "fake lean"?

Dear Gemba Coach: I understand now there is “real lean” and “fake lean.” I suspect my company has been practicing fake lean all these years.…

by Michael Ballé

Case Study

Best in Healthcare Getting Better with Lean

The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN., is famous for the quality of its healthcare, but is using lean concepts to further enhance processes affecting quality,…

Article

Should I pursue waste elimination or lead-time reduction?

Dear Gemba Coach: We’re having a heated debate in our company over whether to pursue cost reduction through waste elimination by accelerating kaizen events, or whether…

by Michael Ballé

Article

What Exactly Is - or Isn't - a Lean System?

Dear Gemba Coach: I’m confused as to what a “lean system” is or should be. Could you clarify?

by Michael Ballé