Is your shopfloor lean?

Born and located in Berne, Switzerland I am coaching companies in implementing lean management for about a decade. During this time I learned a lot about does and dont’s in lean management. Learnings I like to share with you.
Talking to the manager about their lean maturity, they are often telling me this: „we are running lean because we implemented this and that lean method.” By visiting the shop floor it usually turns out that even they really established some lean methods, there is still a lot of improvement.

So now, here is what I learned:

The purpose of establishing lean management

According to Simon Sinek, it all starts with the why. The purpose of establishing a lean culture is essential. Lean management per se has no self-interest. Lean management as a management system, philosophy or culture provides a tool- and mindset in order to achieve your business goals. So before you start implementing lean methods, ask yourself what business goal do we need to achieve. Without a strong vision, lean management unfolds no power.

There is a lack of lean leadership

A true lean leader is leading by meaning and on the shop floor.He understands that he never will reach a level called 100% lean. The only thing he is able to do is to start its journey to strive towards your ideal state. Based on that his job is to enable and develop the people in order that they can create and improve great processes. It’s about creating an environment that fosters a constant learning.

No copy and paste approach

Lean management is well described in the literature. However, there is a huge influence on local culture and particular business requirements you need to consider. This means that copy and paste a lean method you explored somewhere might be good for glory. Maybe it will also provide some results. However, copying a method means that you probably paid no attention to how to adapt the method to your specific context. If so, you are building your lean approach on an unstable foundation. When you do not understand why it works and how it works you will not be able to adapt your business to changing environments.

What are your learnings? Looking forward reading your learnings.

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