Ambiguity

Ambiguity is the state of uncertainty in meaning. Ambiguity is harmful to Lean companies for several reasons.

• Ambiguity reduces consistency. If a process is vague, it is hard to follow the same way every time.
• Ambiguity slows processes down. Requesting clarification breaks the rhythm of a process.
• Ambiguity misaligns goals. If everyone doesn’t interpret objectives the same way, teams go in different directions.

Ambiguity adds waste because it increases the chance of

• errors
• quality problems
• the need for rework

Ambiguity can be reduced with robust standardization and through the use of briefbacks in meetings.

You can identify ambiguity in your briefings if you look for it. Watch for confused people when you are speaking. Excessive questions or no questions at all are both signs of ambiguity. People giving different versions of what you said in briefbacks is another indicator.