How To Run a LEAN Organization

"We are too busy mopping the floor to turn off the faucet." -Anon

What is LEAN?

What is LEAN?

• Efficiency Methodology
• Reduce non-value-added activities from workflows and processes
• Eliminate waste from processes
• Popular framework is "Kaizen"

Kaizen means "good change" in Sino-Japanese. Refreshingly simple, no?

What LEAN Looks Like

Software Development

• Use Agile Development
• At the end of each sprint, evaluate your workflow during the retrospective
• Scrum Master evaluates each sprint for waste through the life of the project.

Telemarketing & Sales

• Encourage team meetings at the end of each sales cycle
• Evaluate previous term for success, failures, and time wasters
• Team leaders bring summary to upper management
• Upper management makes decisions on steps/process based upon lessons learned on the floor

Manufacturing

• Quarterly department meetings.
• Walk through process on a micro scale
• Plant managers & executive team review at a macro scale for inefficiencies
• Open channel for floor workers to escalate issues & suggestions up the chain of command

Services (healthcare & cust. service)

• Regular staff meetings to gain feedback from those "in the trenches"
• Be aware, not all customers follow the same path— some enter on step #5 rather than step #1.
• Identify services offered that provide no value to the organization, or perceived value impacting buying decision by the customer

Management

• Chart all of the current responsibilities and tasks of executive team
• Evaluate whether or not their involvement is necessary to complete or bring value to the low-level decision
• Ensure executives focus on strategic initiatives rather than ground-level operational decisions

Most organizations began with incredible efficiency born out of necessity, but is often lost as they grow.

Thank You!