It's not so much the word "Lean" that is the problem. It is the word "thinking" that is the problem. "Thinking" is a chronic problem among non-Lean people, but it includes Lean people as well. We cannot or do not want to think. Or we think we think, but we do not think. On top of that is a … [Read more...] about The Problem with Lean Thinking
Apparent Problems More Profitable Than Actual Problems
It is common knowledge that the biggest management consulting businesses go from company to company "solving" the same problems using the same or similar "solutions" whose trade names change over time. The long-lived success of top tier consulting's business model is significantly aided by the … [Read more...] about Apparent Problems More Profitable Than Actual Problems
Ohno’s Theory of Nonproductivity
Mr. Taiichi Ohno had a theory of nonproductivity that people know but which they do not truly understand. In the image below, Ohno-san makes a clear differentiation between the types of work that workers do: work that is waste, non-value added work that is necessary under present conditions, and net … [Read more...] about Ohno’s Theory of Nonproductivity
Twenty-Four Books
What was the purpose of writing 24 books? It was equal parts an intense personal curiosity, a desire to share what I have learned with others, and to make it easier for leaders to understand and practice progressive management. It is the last of these -- to make it easier for leaders to understand … [Read more...] about Twenty-Four Books
Norman Bodek (1932-2020)
Condolences to the family of Mr. Norman Bodek (obituary). I had many wonderful phone and e-mail conversations with Norman over the last 18 years. He was a beloved figure, always accessible and always helpful. A humble man, life-long learner, and earnest in his life's mission to help humanity … [Read more...] about Norman Bodek (1932-2020)
Tired of Hearing About Toyota?
I know I am. But that is because we have been hearing the same old things about Toyota -- their production system, obeya, coaching, gemba walks, A3 reports, value steam maps, LPPD, and so on. All the stuff that is easy to package and sell by various parties. You don't hear much about Just-in-Time, … [Read more...] about Tired of Hearing About Toyota?
Akio Toyoda’s View of TPS: A Critical Analysis
A recent article in Toyota Times described Akio Toyoda's view of Toyota Production System in the context of: "bring[ing] back what makes us Toyota" "completely redesigning Toyota for the future" and [a] "training program is for Toyota’s management leaders who don’t work at manufacturing … [Read more...] about Akio Toyoda’s View of TPS: A Critical Analysis
What Comes After Lean?
One of the foundations of Lean management is to think -- to be a Lean thinker. That means more than thinking only about Lean and how great Lean is. It means thinking about evolving and adapting to changing times based on needs. It means changing Lean and building upon Lean if the need exists, … [Read more...] about What Comes After Lean?
Love for Ohno, Hate for Taylor?
Poor Frederick Winslow Taylor. Almost everyone hates him these days. Yet, just about everyone loves Taiichi Ohno. Why? What Taylor started -- the application of the scientific method to management (Scientific Management), the field of industrial engineering, and ensuring non-zero-sum outcomes for … [Read more...] about Love for Ohno, Hate for Taylor?