Lean manufacturing is a systematic approach to identifying and eliminating waste (non-value added activities) through continuous improvement to allow product flow at the pull of the customer in pursuit of perfection. Here are 10 key principles to implement in your company:
- Identify the process that flows value to the customer. Understand and refine the sequence of actions that constitute the process that delivers value to the customer. This is the focus of the change activity. Develop processes to operate the business rather than provide instructions to solve immediate problems. Develop a clear understanding of the process flow, responsibilities, and ownership.
- Focus on the customer’s view of product value. Activities seen as valuable but not as contributing value to the customer should be reviewed to assure they don’t adversely influence the flow rate of the process.
- Assure timely and accurate information flow. Share information in an honest, complete way. Focus on decisions based on understanding the purpose and reality of the business process—the elements that constitute the core ideologies of the business.
- Choose the vital few actions. Set priorities that preserve the core ideology and make all systems support that ideology. Focus on the little things that make a difference in supporting and communicating the core ideology.
- Execute swiftly. Respond with a sense of urgency to customer needs while assuring a controlled process. Remove the bureaucracy and delay that slows the flow of value to the customer.
- Implement continuous creative change. Stimulate change by setting extremely challenging goals. Build a work environment that encourages risk taking and continuous learning. Continuous improvement means continuous change.
- Involve empowered process participants. Those who work within a process are most knowledgeable about its strengths and weaknesses. Effective process improvement is built from a sense of ownership by the process participants.
- Optimize the whole. The goal is to optimize the entire process of providing value. Always step back to see the broadest view possible.
- Balance cost, time, and quality. Goals must not be seen as mutually exclusive. Swiftly provide top quality value at a low cost that delights the customer. The improvement must strive to achieve all goals without having to sacrifice one for another.
- Strive for perfection. Continuous improvement strives for perfection. Continuously benchmark products and processes against the best in the industry. IBI
