A lot of people say they are Lean experts. But is there such a thing as a Lean expert? Let's assume there is. The next question is, what does "Lean expert" mean? Is a Lean expert someone who has comprehensive knowledge and skills in some Lean methods and tools? Or, is a Lean expert someone who is … [Read more...] about Are You a Lean Expert?
We Succeed When We All Agree
In my decades of analyzing Lean management and the Lean movement, I often discover important problems and, being a university professor, I share my findings with others. My findings are more warmly received by Lean practitioners than my peer group of Lean movement leaders. Why is that? It seems … [Read more...] about We Succeed When We All Agree
Toyota’s Free Riders
Sometimes this is how I think about things -- hitching one's derivative TPS product/service to Toyota. This is not necessarily a bad thing. The free riders shown in the image below can indeed be useful in certain circumstances. It is not as if they are without merit. You may agree or disagree with … [Read more...] about Toyota’s Free Riders
Lean, Agile, and Six Sigma
One of the ongoing arguments that people have is that Lean is a system, while other things which have borrowed from Lean or attached themselves to Lean are somehow the same as Lean (and thus, a system). The image at right is an imperfect conceptual model featuring a 1971 Toyota Corolla that … [Read more...] about Lean, Agile, and Six Sigma
Four Types of Lean People
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
Understanding the Institution of Leadership
When organizations struggle or fail to produce a Lean transformation (the "effect"), the causes commonly cited include: Lack of management support Leaders not personally engaged Fear of change or failure Poor communication No sense of urgency No training or poor training Middle … [Read more...] about Understanding the Institution of Leadership
Radicals Among Conservators
If you are a devoted Lean thinker and practitioner, you are a radical. You may not feel like one, but you are. Your desire is to turn business processes upside down, and in doing so turn people's thinking and the corporate culture upside down. You wish to turn things upside down from the bottom up. … [Read more...] about Radicals Among Conservators
Lean Fighting Blind
There are people in the Lean community who have enormous credibility when it comes to assessing the state of Lean management in corporations and other organizations. They include Mark DeLuzio, Art Byrne, Jean Cunningham, Jim Womack, Dan, Jones, Jeff Liker, and various others. Taken together, these … [Read more...] about Lean Fighting Blind
Lean Leaders Impede the Advancement of Lean
In a recent post, "Ask Art: Where Will the Biggest Resistance to Lean Come From?," Art Byrne accurately explains the people and parts of the organization that will resist Lean transformation based on his extensive experience. Art also offers some suggestions on how to overcome the resistance, the … [Read more...] about Lean Leaders Impede the Advancement of Lean