Practical Guide Phase 1 Archives

POLL: How long will it take a typical company to become “Lean”?

POLL QUESTION: How long will it take a typical average company to become Lean?

One of the questions that many people have when they start a Lean journey is, “How long will it take?” Now, the truth is, this question is nearly impossible to answer. The motivation and resources of the company, the quality of the leadership, the presence of a crisis, and a host of other factors affect the speed with which a company embraces change…

By Jeff Hajek, 11 yearsJune 23, 2013 ago

Lean Terms

5 Principles of Lean

Lean principles are the guiding concepts that drive the basic behaviors of an organization. While many Lean advocates create their own unique set of principles, the most famous were first presented by James Womack and Daniel Jones in their book Lean Thinking. The 5 Principles of Lean Specify value. This Read more…

By Jeff Hajek, 11 yearsJune 20, 2013 ago

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between Lean and Six Sigma?

What is the difference between Lean and Six Sigma? Hang around the Lean community for any length of time, and you will start to hear about the rivalry between Lean and Six Sigma. The two methodologies are the juggernauts of the continuous improvement world. While they are both focused on making operations work more smoothly, Read more…

By Jeff Hajek, 12 yearsMay 19, 2013 ago

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do we need a consultant to become Lean?

The short answer is no, but it helps. Of course, like anything, the consultant you choose has to be an effective one. But assuming that is the case, a consultant brings a lot of value to the table. He or she has seen a lot, both good and bad. That experience Read more…

By Jeff Hajek, 12 yearsMarch 30, 2013 ago

Lean Blog-Gotta Go Lean

What Crows Can Teach You About Lean

I recently become fascinated by crows. Turns out they are one of the smartest animals around, and can do some things that most other animals are incapable of. It dawned on me that many of their behaviors would make them outstanding at Lean. Unity of Effort: During the winter months, Read more…

By Jeff Hajek, 12 yearsMarch 1, 2013 ago

Lean Terms

Knowledge Management

Knowledge management is the system of maintaining the collective wisdom of an organization. This wisdom comes in a variety of forms, including proprietary product information, processes, insight about customers, and continuous improvement methodology. While some knowledge is confidential, much of what a company manages is widely known. The purpose of Read more…

By Jeff Hajek, 12 yearsDecember 28, 2012 ago

Lean Terms

Flow Production

Flow production is one of many names used to describe a system of production that predominantly follows Lean principles. It is recognizable by single units of work moving directly from one process to the next without stopping in queues. That state of streamlined motion is known as flow, and is Read more…

By Jeff Hajek, 12 yearsDecember 23, 2012 ago

Lean Blog-Gotta Go Lean

The Case for Continuous Improvement

Over the years while I was working for other companies, I would sit down in the evening and take notes about what I learned during the day. Eventually, I compiled it into something of a personal guide I could reference. That guide subsequently formed the foundation for my lean dictionary. Read more…

By Jeff Hajek, 13 yearsAugust 14, 2011 ago

Lean Blog-Gotta Go Lean

Building a Continuous Improvement Culture Webinar Recording

In January, I posted an article about ways to start building a continuous improvement culture in your organization. Tim McMahon and I revisited the topic in March when we did a live Lean webinar chat on the subject. Tim added some of his perspective, and we talked for nearly an Read more…

By Jeff Hajek, 14 yearsApril 26, 2011 ago

Lean Blog-Gotta Go Lean

Are You Driven to Learn Lean? (Webinar Recording)

Most people see the automotive industry as a great way to show how to apply Lean concepts to your organization, but your own car can also provide valuable insight into the application of Lean tools. In this video, Tim McMahon of A Lean Journey and I discuss how an item Read more…

By Jeff Hajek, 14 yearsApril 25, 2011 ago

Lean Terms

14 Points, Deming’s

In his book, Out of the Crisis, W. Edwards Deming lists his 14 points for management. The overall aim of the book is to transform the style of American leadership. At the time the book was first published in 1982, American industry, especially automotive companies, had started to lag behind Read more…

By Jeff Hajek, 14 yearsOctober 26, 2010 ago

Lean Forms and Continuous Improvement Tools

Decision Matrix Template

The Decision Matrix Template is used to simplify the decision-making process and prevent emotional, gut decisions. In short, a decision matrix template helps users grade a set of options against a set of criteria. This template, like most decision matrix templates, includes a weighting system. It puts additional value on Read more…

By Jeff Hajek, 14 yearsSeptember 5, 2010 ago