People who identify with Lean management or the Lean movement tend to be dedicated and very passionate, which generates a lot of arguments about right and wrongs ways to think and do things. Most of it has to do with how people understand the fundamental truths (principles) and how and when to use … [Read more...] about Four Types of Lean People
Lean Graft Incompatibility
Here is a practical way to understand how Lean management usually fails to take hold in brownfield organizations that have for years been governed by classical management thinking and practice.Grafting is a horticultural technique whereby two plants are joined together to allow the graft to grow … [Read more...] about Lean Graft Incompatibility
My Contributions to Lean
Below is a summary of my significant original contributions to the body of Lean knowledge as author or co-author. My primary focus has been Lean leadership and Lean management, as well as Lean in higher education, Lean in supply chain management, and the history of progressive management. It … [Read more...] about My Contributions to Lean
Methodological Errors in Lean for Higher Ed
As both a participant and witness to the practice of Lean management in higher education, I would like to point out methodological errors in relation to how Lean is practiced in industry. Those in industry who practice Lean management correctly provide us with a standard by which we can compare the … [Read more...] about Methodological Errors in Lean for Higher Ed
Stasis In Teaching
An important thing that professors can improve upon is to overcome the perception, or reality, that teaching is static. By that I mean, courses that remain largely unchanged from one semester to another, in their content, assignments, evaluations, pedagogy, and other elements.Lean principles and … [Read more...] about Stasis In Teaching
Who Needs to Improve?
Every organization needs to improve, but only some have to improve.The eight Ivy League schools need to improve, but they do not have to improve because theirs is a sellers' market. True, they must compete against themselves, so within the Ivies - if one can afford the tuition and living expenses … [Read more...] about Who Needs to Improve?
Thoughts on Lean Higher Ed Conference
At the 2nd International Lean Six Sigma Conference for Higher Education (click to read Day 1 and Day 2 highlights), three speakers presented the view that Lean in higher education is failing or that higher education is distinct from other application domains and adjustments have not been made by … [Read more...] about Thoughts on Lean Higher Ed Conference
Lean Must Do No Harm
Progressive Lean management has long been misunderstood and, as a result, misapplied by managers, resulting in bad outcomes for key stakeholders such as employees. Two main points of misunderstanding are: 1) to recognize only the "Continuous Improvement" principle and ignore the "Respect for People … [Read more...] about Lean Must Do No Harm