Focus

Learning to say “No” on the way to “Yes”

FeaturesMay 19, 2022

SERIES – The authors discuss the third of six elements in their process development model – Converge – using experiments to test key aspects of different ideas, while objectively working towards a single design concept slated for refinement and implementation.

Cost calculation vs cost awareness

FeaturesMay 16, 2022

Michael Ballé

FEATURE – As inflation bites, the author offers us an insightful take into what it really means to understand a company’s costs. Hint, it doesn’t involve passing them on to customers.

Lean learning, reinvented

InterviewsMay 3, 2022

David Marriott, Dave Brunt and Sarah Gregory

INTERVIEW – From hospitals to start-ups, lean principles have been applied far beyond their origins at Toyota. This article discusses how lean can be applied to learning – specifically, how we can apply lean learning to learning lean.

Lean transformations: failure and misconceptions

FeaturesApr 29, 2022

Nestor Gavilan

FEATURE – Drawing inspiration from his research into the causes of failure of transformations, the author discusses how these can directly be linked to the most common misconceptions on Lean Thinking.

The value of testing multiple concepts at once

FeaturesApr 21, 2022

Matt Zayko and Eric Ethington

SERIES—The authors discuss Concepts, the second of six elements in their process development model, discovering the key knowledge gaps and exploring multiple process design options to facilitate learning.

Operation Honeybee

FeaturesApr 12, 2022

Sharon Visser

FEATURE – To consistently identify new and better ways of doing things can breathe new life into a lean journey, but only if the knowledge developed can be effectively shared across the organization.

Creating a model primary care unit

Case studiesApr 7, 2022

The CSJ primary care team

CASE STUDY – This primary care unit in Brazil is hoping to become a model for other units in their system. Take note, this is how Lean Thinking can spread across healthcare systems.

Lean and the digitization of Benin’s public administration

InterviewsApr 5, 2022

Ornella Diane Semondji

INTERVIEW – In today’s Q&A, we learn how Lean Thinking is supporting the digital transformation of the public administration of the African country of Benin.

The theory of lean transformation

FeaturesMar 31, 2022

Michael Ballé

FEATURE – In this compelling theoretical piece, the author reminds us how in a lean organization relations are structured around learning opportunities rather than execution. This is what ultimately enables a company to grow.

Deploying strategic metrics in operations

FeaturesMar 28, 2022

Szabolcs Molnár

FEATURE – Using the example of a chain of pizzerias, the author explains why “slicing the elephant” is the approach you want to follow when it comes to deploying strategic metrics in operations.

Lean ain’t fishy

Case studiesMar 21, 2022

Eivind Reke & Marcin Gaarden

CASE STUDY – This Norwegian firm learned that allowing every person and area to move up their own lean learning curve can steer the business away from fire-fighting and towards more strategic thinking.

Understanding the context of your process

FeaturesMar 17, 2022

Matt Zayko and Eric Ethington

SERIES – The authors discuss the first of six elements in their process development model – Context – highlighting the importance of gaining clarity on the objectives of the process being created.

Slashing waiting times for cancer care

Case studiesMar 7, 2022

The Previna Project team

CASE STUDY – This project in Brazil, part of a city-wide effort to improve patient flows, led to impressive results in the waiting time to access cancer care.

Turning around our quality

Case studiesMar 3, 2022

Jorge Andres Palacio

CASE STUDY – For the past year, Elementia Materiales, a producer of materials for the construction industry, has begun a lean journey that’s already brought impressive quality results.

A fork in the road for lean research?

FeaturesFeb 28, 2022

Daryl Powell

RESEARCH – The author reflects on several highly-ranked academic publications to paint a picture of salient lean knowledge, both past and present, and suggests several avenues for future lean research.

The value of software

FeaturesFeb 24, 2022

Michael Ballé, Céleste Dhellemmes and Woody Rousseau

FEATURE – The authors explain why putting value at the heart of customer discussions is key to developing a successful, resilient tech firm.

Our hoshin journey

Case studiesFeb 21, 2022

The BJC team

FEATURE – This Siemens Group-owned medium-sized manufacturer of electrical low-voltage devices has been experimenting with hoshin kanri. In this article, they share their experience and lessons learned.

How to shorten product development lead-time

FeaturesFeb 10, 2022