Can a single department implement Lean on its own?

Can a single department implement Lean on its own?

The short answer is yes, but only to a degree.

Many of the problem-solving tools and leadership activities work within a group’s own boundaries.

You can do 5S and implement Standard Work. You can install poka yokes, and manage with KPIs, and daily management without a whole lot of external obstacles.

Some tools, though need institutional support. For example, a team can install andon lights and create an andon process for its leadership team to respond. The limit, though, is how much extra support something like that will get. The manufacturing engineering team may or may not adhere to the policy if Lean is not implemented organization wide. The kanban process is similar. You can put cards on bins, but if the materials team is not on board, you won’t get the full benefit.

But don’t let the limitations discourage you from trying. There’s a good chance that if you start using some tools with your team, the group’s performance will get better. The senior leaders will notice, and that means there’s a good chance of them expanding what you started to more areas of the company.