What Is Lean Management?

Introduction to Lean Management

Lean management is a business methodology that's designed to increase quality and efficiency by eliminating wasted resources like time, money, and effort. It also is sometimes referred to as lean production or lean manufacturing. The idea is to produce only the best and most valuable services or products for customers and clients at the right price.

History of Lean Management

The concept of lean management originated in the Japanese manufacturing industry in the 1990s, beginning with the Toyota Production System (TPS). Because Toyota was initially a small automobile manufacturer that eventually became successful on a global scale, it's business, and operational process quickly caught on. Other companies soon began to adopt similar methodologies with the hope of achieving the same level of success. Today, lean management is widely used by leading businesses around the world, including Intel, John Deere, and Nike.

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Principles of Lean Management

Lean management revolves around these core principles: defining value, mapping stream value, creating flow, establishing pull, and pursuing perfection.

• Defining Value 

  This principle identifies the value of a product or service from the customer’s perspective. Rotating Solutions highlights the importance of creating and focusing on a timeline for the production process, including delivery. This can include detailing crucial requirements, price points, expectations, and other essential information 

• Mapping Stream Value 

  This principle is also known as waste mapping. It examines all steps of any given business process to determine which unnecessary actions and resources can be eliminated to maximize  efficiency

• Creating Flow 

  This principle focuses on attaining efficiency and speed, as well as ensuring that multiple operational tasks are completed as quickly and smoothly as possible without sacrificing quality 

• Establishing Pull

  Create a flow in which there are just enough materials and resources to create the required products on time and in a continuous fashion.

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• Pursuing Perfection 

  Really, this means making sure that the other four principles occur continuously and consistently. Make sure all employees are also on board with the ultimate lean mission.

Another way to look at lean management is through the following five stages that complement the general principles. Known as “5S”, and translated from Japanese, they include:

• Seiri (organization)
• Seiton (order)
• Seiso (cleanliness)
• Seiketsu (standardization)
• Shitsuke (discipline) 

Benefits of Lean Management

Companies that apply lean management methodologies typically have one goal in mind: continuous improvement. By implementing these lean principles, they often reach this goal by saving time and therefore money. They also can improve customer satisfaction rates, which can lead to increased revenue from referrals and repeat business.

Further, becoming proficient in lean management can be an invaluable investment. Our Lean Six Sigma Green Belt program teaches students crucial lean management skills that won’t just help them in their current role, but will also help them to be successful in other opportunities they may pursue in the future. 

In this training program, students learn about all aspects of lean management, and how these principles can be applied in services, manufacturing, and general business roles. Students learn about the various tools in lean management, common types of waste, and ways to eliminate it to improve overall business efficiency. Students enrolled in this course receive five hours of e-learning content, a downloadable e-book, and other resources that are useful for all skill levels. Once completed, students earn a lean management certification.