Article

React Less and Improve More by Using SPC More Effectively

When we stop reacting to “noise” in a metric, we can better focus our improvement efforts, waste less time, and improve more, says Mark Graban.…

by Mark Graban and Mark Graban

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

Isao Kato Interview on Shigeo Shingo's Influence on TPS

Isao Kato believed that people development cannot be separated from production system development. During his career at Toyota he developed training materials under the direction…

by Art Smalley and Art Smalley

Article

Dueling Methods: 8D and A3

One of the scores of questions sent in by attendees at our recent webinar on the A3 problem-solving process was what's the difference between it…

by David Verble

Article

Lean Consortia: Sharing Experiences, Learning from Others

Manufacturers, healthcare organizations, government agencies, and others gain powerful benefits through collaborative learning and networking in lean consortia. Consortium members trade improvement ideas and experiences,…

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

Yokoten: Capturing and Sharing Best Practices

To accelerate learning and change, don’t copy blindly—observe, adapt, and apply with purpose. That’s how yokoten drives real transformation, argues the author.

by José R. Ferro, PhD

eBook

The Lean Manager

For many companies, the most important problem is not doing lean; it is becoming lean. How can they advance beyond realizing isolated gains from deploying lean tools, to fundamentally changing how…

by Freddy Ballé and Michael Ballé

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

Kaizen or Rework?

Jim Womack urges organizations to shift from relying on after-the-fact kaizen to designing lean value streams upfront. By applying rigorous process development during product development,…

by James (Jim) Womack, PhD

Article

People Are Not Cars

Tyson Ortiz's challenge in helping his son through a heart transplant clarified to him what a healthcare provider said: "People are not cars." And yet…

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

Understanding the True Value of the TWI Job Instruction Training Method

In this reflection, the author contends the training approach delivers something vastly more significant than merely a faster, more effective training process.

by Chia-Chun Chung

Book

Getting the Right Things Done

For companies to be competitive, leaders must engage people at all levels in order to focus their energy and enable them to apply lean principles…

by Pascal Dennis

Article

Students Take the Lead in JPW Fund Internship

A hands-on, gemba-based “lean internship” gives participants broad-based lean management experience backed by professional and academic coaches.

by Patricia Panchak

Article

Quick and Practical Tips for Effective Virtual Process Mapping

In the wake of new lockdowns to halt the spread of the coronavirus, companies need ways for home-based team members and coaches to collaborate online…

by John Drogosz, PhD and Chet Marchwinski

Article

Align Your Continuous Improvement Efforts: Practical Tips from 4 CEOs in 4 Major Business Sectors

Four CEOs who are leading lean management voices in the critical economic sectors of manufacturing, supply chain, healthcare, and education, offer advice on aligning your…

by Chet Marchwinski

Article

How Lean Thinking and Practice Helped Put Shots in Arms, Part 1: Building the Process

Does lean thinking work during a crisis? An in-depth review of its contribution to the design and management of Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center's…

by Ryan Haley, Crystal R. Tubbs and Peter Ward

Article

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.

by Mike De Luca

Article

How to Breakdown a Complex Challenge for A3 Problem-solving

At some point, every lean practitioner struggles with a problem that seems too complex to put the problem statement, analysis, and corrective actions on the…

by David Verble