Two of the principal teachings of Toyota-style kaizen is to think of cost problems in terms of processes and in non-financial terms such as time, distance, space, defects, quantity, turnbacks, etc. To be able to effectively think in non-financial terms, we were taught to understand the difference … [Read more...] about Money vs. Process View of Cost
Business Leaders’ Case for Ignoring Lean
My enduring curiosity and passion for problem-solving led me to work on a problem that the principal leaders of the Lean movement either ignored or told me that it would be a waste of time. I could not ignore it and I did not see it as a waste of time. My view is that arousing interest in Lean … [Read more...] about Business Leaders’ Case for Ignoring Lean
The Problem Lean May Never Overcome
The image at right shows the problem that Lean, as well as its predecessor systems of progressive management, has been unable to overcome and may never overcome: The inability to displace de jure -- except in rare cases, and for only a limited time. Sooner or later, de jure wins.The image shows … [Read more...] about The Problem Lean May Never Overcome
Is Lean Too Arrogant to Save Itself?
Time has proven that the central problem with Lean management is that most senior leaders are not interested in it. They have many other ways to achieve their business goals without needing to think about Lean. Relatedly, sooner or later Lean always loses out to Classical management. Despite these … [Read more...] about Is Lean Too Arrogant to Save Itself?
What’s Holding Lean Back?
We are all aware that precious few Lean transformations fulfill the vision of many Toyota-like managed companies in all industries. For decades, the prevailing wisdom was that better explanations of Lean, from Lean tools to Lean strategy, and more and more examples of Lean success, no matter how … [Read more...] about What’s Holding Lean Back?
Lean Transformation is Not Difficult
Lean transformation is often said to be difficult. But what if that is only the apparent problem, based on our perspective as people who work to promote Lean and help organizations transform from Classical management to Lean management? The difficulty clearly looks to us like a lack of understanding … [Read more...] about Lean Transformation is Not Difficult
Lean and The Corporation
In my new book, The Triumph of Classical Management Over Lean, I identified 17 bedrock assumptions that have guided the promotion and marketing of Lean to large corporations. However, there are many more assumptions than that. The assumption that I would like to focus on here is the nature of the … [Read more...] about Lean and The Corporation
Lean Warning Label
This Warning Label should have been attached to Lean decades ago. Everything contained in the warning label was understood 25 to 30 years ago.But it was not. The result? Countless underdoses.Corporate leaders did not know the facts about the product, Lean, before they started using it. They … [Read more...] about Lean Warning Label
The Seven Laws of Lean Disillusionment
I have spoken to many people in recent years who have become disillusioned with Lean management in one way or another. In most cases, disillusionment does not lead to a complete abandonment of Lean thinking and practice. Rather, it greatly suppresses enthusiasm and limits the scope of practice to … [Read more...] about The Seven Laws of Lean Disillusionment